Unit 4 AOS 1 SAC 1 - Sleep and Conciousness Flashcards
Consciousness
The awareness of internal and external stimuli
Consciousness cannot be seen, and therefore is a psychological construct; a concept constructed to describe specific psychological activity or a pattern of activity that is believed to occur or exist but cannot be directly observed.
Continuum of consciousness
A progression of states of consciousness ranging from least aware to most aware
Psychological construct
An agreed-upon description and understanding of psychological phenomena that cannot be overtly measured or observe
Normal waking consciousness (NWC)
The state of being awake and aware of internal and external stimuli
During NWC, people are able to regulate their emotions, control their actions and thoughts, have an accurate sense of time and are able to accurately perceive internal and external stimuli
Altered state of consciousness (ASC)
2 different types and examples
A state of consciousness that is characterised by different levels of awareness as compared to normal waking consciousness
Type 1: Naturally occurring ASCs
- Occurs without intervention
- Examples include daydreaming, sleep, drowsiness
Type 2: Induced ASCs
- Occurs due to a purposeful action or aid
- Examples include being in a coma, alcohol-induced, meditation, hypnosis
Difference between NWC and ASC
Lauren Could Catch A PEST
Level of attention Content limitations Cognitive distortions Awareness Perceptual distortions Emotional awareness Self-control Time orientation
Psychological measurements
Lauren
Level of attention
NWC - selective attention
- refers to the limitations placed on how much we can focus at any given moment on one stimulus or event to the exclusion of others. E.g learning something new
NWC - divided attention
- refers to the capacity to attend to and perform 2 or more activities at the same time
This is generally only possible if the tasks can be performed with little mental effort. Not to similar
E.g walking and talking.
ASC
- In an altered state of consciousness shifting our attention can be slower or we may shift it more often as we find it difficult to concentrate
- We have a poor ability to focus our attention on a single task, and it becomes more difficult to divide our attention as well
Psychological measurements
Could
Content limitations
NWC
- The content of information is limited in type and amount (because we can focus our attention)
- Our thoughts are controlled and limited to reality
I.e. Very few bizarre thoughts
ASC
Content is not as limited as there is little control
E.g daydreaming and alcohol-induced state
Psychological measurements
Catch
Cognitive distortions
NWC
- Cognitive distortions can be discussed and recognised to be exaggeration
- Usually logical and organised
E.g we do not go to school names, as we might in a dream
- Effective memory functioning
ASC - Cognitive distortions may occur E.g people are trying to kill me - Cognition is illogical and often lacking in sequence E.g conversation with a drunk, dreaming - Memory is also impaired - Poor decision making
Psychological measurements
Aw
Level of awareness
NWC - controlled processes
Require full awareness and mental effort to focus attention on the required task. The person needs to be consciously aware of what they are doing and think about doing the task. E.g Driving
NWC - automatic processes
Require very little awareness or mental effort to be performed well and they generally don’t interfere with other automatic or controlled processes.
This can allow you to do 2 things at once. E.g walking
ASC
- In an altered state of consciousness, your level of awareness either decreases it increases
- You become more or less aware of your perceptions and/or surroundings
Psychological measurements
Per
Perceptual distortions
NWC
- Sensations reflect reality
- Perception is clear and the individual is able to process sensory input to form awareness of their internal state and of external stimuli
ASC
- Sensations and perceptions can be dulled/blunted from pain medication, mediation etc
- Sensations and perceptions can also be heightened from hallucinogenic drugs
- Sometimes perception is so distorted people may lose their sense of identity and feel they are outside of their body
Psychological measurements
Emo
Emotional awareness
NWC
- Takes into account physiological responses and the thoughts that give them context
E.g increased heart rate could be interpreted as fear, excitement, nervousness,
- Emotional awareness tends to be regular
ASC
- Emotional responses are often distorted
E.g intensifies, blunt or inappropriate
Psychological measurements
S-c
Self-control
NWC
- Awareness of self and the ability to take control of our behaviour - can monitor Impulses
- However, subconscious thoughts can influence our behaviour. Also physical limitations
ASC
- A lack of self control
- Self-control is compromised e.g. asleep, drunk, hypnotised
Psychological measurements
Ti
Time orientation
NWC
- An accurate perception of time and sensations
e. g. 1 hour feels like 1 hour - Awareness of past present and future events - reality
ASC
- Difficulty in accurately perceiving time and sensations
i. e. time could be perceived to be moving quicker or slower - sleep
Physiological measurements
Heart rate Body temperature Respiration GSR Brain waves - EEG, EOG, EMG
Subjective measures
- Subjective: measurements collected through personal observations of behaviour. eg; sleep diaries and video monitoring.
- Advantages: provides detailed data and can provide insight into unobservable mental processes such as dreaming.
- Disadvantages: based on personal judgments, thus difficult to measure and compare. Often influenced by bias (experimenter or participant).
Objective measures
- Objective: measurements of behaviour collected under controlled conditions. Scores are not subject to personal opinions or interpretation by the researcher. eg; EEG, EMG, EOG, speed and accuracy on cognitive tasks.
- Advantages: easy to measure and compare, and minimises bias. Accurate and reliable which allows for easier replication.
- Disadvantages: Can lack detail, and can lack external validity due to artificiality.
EEG
DARE
Detects, amplifies and records electrical impulses of the brain in the form of brain waves
These can be used to make a judgement about the state of consciousness a person might be in, as different kinds of brain wave patterns correlate to different states of consciousness.
E.g. a person in NWC would mainly record beta brain waves
EMG
DARE
Detects, amplifies and records electrical impulses of the body’s muscles
This can indicate different levels of consciousness. For example, little to no activity in the body’s muscles might be indicative of reduced awareness, such as when a person is sleeping or in a relaxed state. In contrast, high tension or movement may indicate an alert state.
EOG
DARE
Detects, amplifies and records electrical impulses of the muscles around the eye.
This is useful for measuring consciousness, as little to no activity of these muscles would likely indicate low levels of awareness, as a person doesn’t move their eyes much when relaxed or in most stages of sleep
Difference between controlled and automatic processes
Controlled processing is a new task you’re learning that is being intentionally done while we are consciously aware of what we are doing whereas automatic processing occurs on tasks we’ve previously learnt and does not require us to pay attention and requires little concentration
Difference between selective and divided attention
Selective attention is the ability to select from many factors or stimuli and to focus on only the one that you want while filtering out other distractions whereas divided attention is the ability to process two or more responses or react to two or more different demands simultaneously.
Amplitude vs frequency
Brain waves (BATD)
Frequency: a measurement indicating how many brain waves there are per second, visually represented as how close the waves appear together
Amplitude: a measurement indicating the intensity of an electric current in the brain, visually represented as the height of the wave peaks
Beta: fast, small brain waves with high frequency and low amplitude, indicating high levels of alertness
Alpha: medium-sized brain waves with medium-high frequency and low-medium amplitude, indicating an alert but relaxed state
Theta: medium-sized brain waves with low-medium frequency and medium-high amplitude, indicating low levels of alertness
Delta: slow and large brain waves with low frequency and high amplitude, indicating very low levels of alertness
Stimulants vs depressants
Examples
Stimulants: a class of drugs that increase the central nervous system and body activity, increasing levels of alertness compared to NWC
Examples:
• Caffeine such as in coffee and soft drinks
• Nicotine in tobacco
• Amphetamines such as those found in medicine for attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
• Methamphetamines such as recreational/party drugs like ecstasy
Depressants: a class of drugs that reduce central nervous system and body activity, reducing levels of alertness compared to NWC
Examples:
• Benzodiazepines like Xanax to reduce anxiety
• Opiates such as morphine to reduce pain
• Barbiturates to help with sleeping difficulties and anxiety
• Alcohol to promote relaxation and reduce inhibition
Stimulants and depressants
Brain waves
Stimulants:
When a person takes a stimulant, there will be an increase in beta waves and a decrease in alpha, theta and delta waves.
Increase frequency, decrease the amplitude
Depressants:
As depressants reduce awareness, this means the frequency decreases, amplitude increases, meaning there is a decrease in beta waves and an increase in alpha, theta and delta waves.
Increase amplitude, decrease the frequency
