Task 8- Consciousness Flashcards
How could you define altered states of consciousness (ASC) objectively?
Defining them by the way they are induced or by the physiology associated with them -> not satisfactory
How could you define ASC subjectively?
=qualitative alternations in the overall pattern of mental functioning e.g. experiencer feels his consciousness is radically different from the way it functions ordinarily
What are problems of defining them subjectively?
- this definition raises several issues: difficult to define a normal state of consciousness, difficult to decide whether others are experiencing an ASCs based on their behaviour;
- difficult to describe as different people have different prior experiences, different expectations, and different ways of describing things
So, how should we begin studying C then?
by studying how ASCs change functions (e.g. attention, memory, arousal)
What are the two dimensions of attention that it can change along?
(1) direction, as it can be directed inwards or outwards, which can be induced either by reducing sensory input or overloading it
(2) focus, which can be broadly or narrowly focused
How can memory be used to study C?
–linked with effects on thinking and emotion
a. Mind-altering drugs – reduce STM span which has a debilitating effect on conversation but creates more focused attention on here-and-now
b. Time perception changes are linked with changes in Memory
How can arousal be used to study C?
– can either decrease or increase; changes affect every aspect of mental functioning
a. Meditation –> some states are characterized by low arousal and deep relaxation
b. Ritual practices –> some states are characterized by high arousal
What is a phenomenal space/phenospace?
Complex multidimensional space within which all possible ASCs can be found
Which three dimensions does Hobson’s AIM model have?
(1) activation energy, which is similar to arousal and can be measured by EEG
(2) input source, which can vary between entirely external or entirely internal sources of Information
(3) mode, which is the ratio of amines to cholines
- -> any area can be occupied
When are amine and when are choline neurotransmitters prevalent?
- Waking: amine neurotransmitters dominate and are essential for rational thought, volition, and directing attention
- REM sleep: cholines dominate and thinking becomes delusional, irrational, and unreflective
Does meditation induce ASCs according to Tart’s subjective definition?
- meditation does induce ASCs because people feel that their mental functioning has been radically altered
- meditation gradually changes the neural structures of the brain -> advanced meditators may reach states that are unique to meditative practice
How is the claim that meditation induces ASCs supported?
supported by the combination of increased synchronicity in both low-frequency oscillations and gamma activity in experienced meditators
What do Thomans and Cohen argue about meditation and ASCs?
d-ASC (=discrete AC) in meditation should be expressed in discrete states of certain brain networks
- -> discrete states should be observable as changes in functional connectivity away from a defined baseline state in dominant brain networks
- correlation of specific d-ASCs with specific changes in brain activity
Can dreaming be defined as an ASC?
Yes (Mutz article)
What does the activation-synthesis hypothesis say about dreaming?
dreaming results from rapid eye movement (REM)
What do recent theories suggest about dreams?
- that dreams fulfil an adaptive function related to emotion-regulation, learning and memory consolidation
- consensus that consciousness exists but ongoing debate on whether consciousness exists during dreamless sleep as well
Does dreaming vary in the different stages of sleep?
Dreaming during different stages of sleep varies in terms of (1) phenomenological characteristics, (2) and consciousness
What is the continuum that the differences in conscious experience between dreaming and wakefulness can be placed along?
(1) no consciousness
(2) primary consciousness, simple awareness of perception and emotion
(3) self-reflective awareness, abstract thinking, volition, and metacognition (also referred to as secondary, higher-order, or self-consciousness)
How is one’s C when one is dreaming?
- they are consciously aware of their internal world to some extent but fail to recognize their own condition
- dreaming represents an offline, internally generated simulation of the waking consciousness -> dreams can be seen as a purer form of consciousness as they are free of the constraints imposed by perception and interaction with physical environments
What is REM sleep characterized by in terms of physiological measures?
(1) global high-frequency and low amplitude EEG activity (similar to waking state)
(2) increased heart rate
(3) respiratory activity
(4) temporary muscular paralysis
- -> people more likely to report dreams after awakening from REM Sleep
What is REM sleep characterized by?
- particularly rich, emotional, and perceptually vivid
- loose, fanciful, and bizarre narratives, and reflect interests, personality, mood, and draw on long-term Memory
- often uncertain about time, space, personal identities, and often has the subjective experience of being awake
- perceptual experiences are similar to wakefulness
What is altered in REM sleep that is different from waking life?
- sensory distortions, misidentifications of characters and places, changes in spatio-temporal integration, mis-binding of objects’ features, dissociations, and transpositions whereby dreamer experiences frequent and abrupt changes in dream narrative
- REM dreams contain more emotional contents
What are REM dreams like?
-Which kind of C do they show?
- show aspects of primary but not secondary consciousness –> less metacognitive activity, reflective thought, and volitional capabilities
- limited access to information about the past and anticipated future and typically concerns himself exclusively with the present content of the dream narrative
- some reports do involve reflective thought
What is similar in REM sleep and wakefulness neurologically?
- EEG signal similar
- global brain metabolism tends to be very similar
