Unit 4- States of consciousness Flashcards
what is consciousness?
The awareness of our own thoughts, feelings, and perceptions (internal events) and our surroundings (external stimuli) at any given moment.
- Selective
- Personal
- Continuous
What are psychological constructs?
They are used to understand or explain things that we believe exist but cannot see, touch or measure in any way.
What is stream of consciousness-
William James?
Continuous- it is never empty, thoughts are not isolated and can flow easily without interruption.
Ever changing- Rarely travels along one line of thought, changes as we become aware of new information
Personal experience- relies on our own thoughts feelings ad perception
selective- We can choose to focus on some things and ignore others
Active- Consciousness has a purpose to allow us to focus in our world.
Measuring states of consciousness…
Physiological responses
EEG: Detects amplifies and records electrical activity in the brain in the form of brainwaves
DARE: Dectect, amplify, record, electrical
Brainwaves…
Have both
Frequency: How often
Amplitude: Height of peak
What are the 4 different types pf brainwaves?
BETA: High frequency and low amplitude:
when we are awake and alert, and REM dreaming (deep sleep
ALPHA: Slightly lower frequency and higher amplitude: When someone is really relaxed
THETA: Medium frequency, mix of high and low amplitude: Early stages of sleep, stage 1 of REM sleep.
DELTA: Low frequency, high amplitude: Deep sleep
BATDOG!
what is EOG?
Device that detects, amplifies and records electrical activity in the muscles that allow the eye to move.
What is EMG?
A device that detects, amplifies and records the electrical activity of the muscles.
changes in electrical activity in the muscles indicate states of consciousness.
Other measurements of Physiological states …
Heart rate
Body temperature
Galvanic skin response, measures sweating
What are Behavioural and Cognitive measures?
- Speed and accuracy on tasks such as thinking, problem solving, reasoning.
- Changes in different states of consciousness.
- Selective (controlled processes- slower) and divided attention (automatic processes - faster)
Can measure the speed and accuracy over time.
What is subjective reporting?
Are reporting measures such as self reporting or video monitoring to measure states of consciousness
WHat is self reporting?
Rating the quality of your own sleep the previous night of 1 (very poor) 2 (poor) 3 (fair) 4 (good) 5 (very good).
Statements and answers to questions made by the participants concerning their psychological experience (thoughts feelings and behaviours) in relation to a psychological phenomenon.
Can indicate if a person is experiencing normal waking consciousness.
Sleep diaries.
inaccurate.
Video monitoring?
Can provide insight into how we behave in different states of consciousness. Researchers observe deep sleep
Hard evidence, limiting as you cannot see whats happening inside the body
Continuum of awareness stages
Total awareness, Focussed attention, Ordinary wakefulness, Daydreaming, meditation, Hypnosis, Sleep, Anaesthetised, Coma, Total lack of awareness
Normal Waking Conciousness?
Awareness of your thoughts, feelings and behaviours, including internal and external events
