FINAL Flashcards
2 higher order theories of consciousness (HOT)
- higher-order perception
- higher-order thought
higher-order perception
idea that consciousness arises when you acknowledge yourself perceiving other things
higher-order thought
idea that humans are aware of thought processes, and this brings about consciousness
3 criticisms for higher order theories
- we are aware of stimuli, not thoughts about stimuli (meta-thought is not necessary for consciousness)
- doesn’t take conscious action into account
- no neuro basis
global workspace theory (GWT)
- input processors compete for attention (similarly to pandemonium -> loudest will enter consciousness/workspace)
- (conscious) global workspace broadcasts input to other brain areas for voluntary action
what 3 things does GWT account for
- intentional action
- information retention
- planning and creative thought
global neural workspace theory (GNW)
used fMRI to map brain areas with different functions, these propagate signals across to motor systems to organize voluntary action
what structure is thought to account for consciousness and why according to GNW
pyramidal neurons because of widespread structure that can connect many areas including PFC and temporal lobes for voluntary action
monism
body and mind made of one substance
dualism
body and mind made of two distinct substances (possibly connect through pineal gland)
functionalism
mental states are constituted only by their functional roles (i.e. accounts for multiple realizability); brain = hardware, mind = software
reductionism
break everything down into parts, no longer discuss the whole
advantage of reductionism
easy to test each individual part
disadvantage of reductionism
some things can’t be broken down
emergence
sum > parts e.g. janitor’s dream
rat memory experiment setup
play a tone, then shock the rat. if they remember, they should be afraid every time they hear the tone.
how to prevent a rat from learning new things
administer drug while / near the time of the initial shock
how to prevent a rat from remembering things
administer drug during recall, it will alter the original memory
can the rat memory experiment be done in humans and is it effective
yes, drug was used with PTSD patients and was somewhat effective, it makes the painful memory less painful
best way to preserve a memory in its original form
don’t recall it
why can we never be 100% certain about material reality (& order of processing pipeline?)
real world -> senses -> processing -> awareness; reality is always filtered through senses and processing therefore never 100% objective
cartesian theatre
example of higher-order perception (perceive yourself perceive something)
problem with cartesian theatre
if homunculus is another person inside your head, what about their consciousness?
Dennett multiple drafts model
different senses have different processing streams where they process things intermittently, and objects can reach ‘fame’