Chapter 2 Glossary of Key Terms

Question 1

Consciousness (related: States Of Consciousness; SOC)

Answer 1

Consciousness is a hypothetical construct that can be defined as the awareness of our own thoughts, feelings and perceptions. It shapes our reality and operates on a continuum.

Question 2

Normal Waking Consciousness

Answer 2

NWC can be loosely defined as the SOC one experiences when awake and aware of their thoughts, feelings and perceptions. Associated with a real sense of time, place and reality.

Question 3

Altered State of Consciousness

Answer 3

Any SOC that differ from NWC are known as Altered States of Consciousness. Can be induced (drugs, meditation) or naturally occurring (sleep, daydreaming).

Question 4

Awareness

Answer 4

Awareness relates to how conscious/aware one is of internal and external events.

Question 5

Continuum of awareness

Answer 5

Awareness operates on a continuum from complete lack of awareness up to heightened awareness. NWC tends to reside in the middle of the two extremes.

Question 6

Content limitations

Answer 6

Refers to our control over what content we focus our attention on. Generally more limited during NWC as we can focus and have more organised thoughts.

Question 7

Attention

Answer 7

Attention refers to the information that one is actively processing, both consciously and outside conscious awareness. (Related: cocktail party phenomenon).

Question 8

Selective attention

Answer 8

Refers to the limitations placed on how much we can focus at any given time on one stimulus to the exclusion of other stimuli. We do this because it is hard to focus on too much at once.

Question 9

Selective inattention

Answer 9

We also avoid attending to information that although relevant may be emotionally upsetting. This can be both helpful and unhelpful (or dangerous) depending on the circumstances. Eg, ignoring a bad headache that could be a tumour.

Question 10

Divided attention

Answer 10

Refers to the capacity to attend to and perform two or more activities at the same time. Generally only possible if the tasks are very simple/require very little mental effort. Harder to do if the tasks are similar.

Question 11

Cocktail party phenomenon

Answer 11

Processing of information can take place outside of our conscious awareness, meaning that consciousness is not necessarily limited to what one is attending to at the time.
Eg, engrossed in conversation at a party and picking up on someone else saying your name across the room - even though you weren’t paying attention to that.

Question 12

Change blindness

Answer 12

Change blindness is failure to notice a large change that takes place in full view, simultaneous with a brief disruption in vision. Related to attention and memory, it involves the failure to store the memory of a scene/compare the memory from one scene to the next. Eg, episode of ‘Pay attention’ where a black slide (visual disruption) is introduced before each change in a spot the difference puzzle.

Question 13

Controlled processes

Answer 13

Controlled processes require selective attention, a person must actively focus attention in order to complete the task. Eg, driving for the first time.

Question 14

Automatic processes

Answer 14

Automatic processes enable divided attention, if a task requires little mental effort we are able to take part in other tasks at the same time. Eg, driving for the 100th time.

Question 15

Perception

Answer 15

Perception is the process of organising sensory input and giving it meaning. During NWC, usually clear and rational.

Question 16

Cognition

Answer 16

Cognition (broadly) refers to mental activities such as thinking, problem solving, language and reasoning. During NWC, usually clear, rational and meaningful.

Question 17

Emotional awareness

Answer 17

During NWC we are generally aware of our feelings and exhibit normal and appropriate emotions for the situation we are in.

Question 18

Self-control

Answer 18

During NWC our self control is generally well maintained and we avoid doing anything embarrassing.

Question 19

Time orientation

Answer 19

During NWC time will tend to pass normally. In ASC it may pass faster or slower than reality.

Question 20

Daydreaming

Answer 20

Daydreaming involves shifting our attention to our private thoughts, feelings and imagined scenarios whilst ignoring the external world.
We daydream everyday, although usually when we’re bored, alone or trying to sleep. Associated with good mental health and stability as well as other benefits.

Question 21

More examples of ASC:

Answer 21

Naturally occurring:
-Sleep, daydreaming
Induced:
-Drugs, alcohol
-Meditation