Chapter 5Chapter 5

States of ConsciousnessStates of Consciousness

Levels ofLevels ofConsciousnessConsciousness

ConsciousConscious: Brain processes of which we are : Brain processes of which we are aware (feelings, thoughts, perceptions)aware (feelings, thoughts, perceptions)

PreconsciousPreconscious: Information that is not currently : Information that is not currently in consciousness, but can be brought into in consciousness, but can be brought into consciousness if attention is called to itconsciousness if attention is called to it

Unconscious: Many levels of processing that occur without awareness (fears, desires, urges)

NonconsciousNonconscious: Brain process that does not : Brain process that does not involve conscious processing (e.g. heart rate, involve conscious processing (e.g. heart rate, breathing)breathing)

Levels ofLevels ofConsciousnessConsciousness

Conscious

Preconscious

Unconscious

Nonconscious

Non

cons

ciou

s

Sleep and DreamingSleep and Dreaming

Altered State: normal consciousness is Altered State: normal consciousness is modified by mental, behavioral or chemical modified by mental, behavioral or chemical means; others notice means; others notice (hypnosis, drugs, meditation)(hypnosis, drugs, meditation)

Circadian rhythmsCircadian rhythms: Psychological patterns that : Psychological patterns that repeat approximately every 24 hoursrepeat approximately every 24 hours

Light = decreased melatonin from pineal gland Light = decreased melatonin from pineal gland = less sleepy!= less sleepy!

Suprachiasmatic nucleusSuprachiasmatic nucleus Sleep Survey!!!Sleep Survey!!!

The Function of SleepThe Function of Sleep Discuss: Why do we sleep?Discuss: Why do we sleep?

Possible functions of sleep Possible functions of sleep include:include:

– To conserve energyTo conserve energy

– Aids memory and problem Aids memory and problem solvingsolving

– To restore the body To restore the body (neurotransmitters, neuron (neurotransmitters, neuron sensitivity)sensitivity)

– To flush out useless To flush out useless information from the braininformation from the brain

Normal Sleep (Handout)Normal Sleep (Handout) About 90-minute cyclesAbout 90-minute cycles

– Stage 2 = sleep spindles, K Stage 2 = sleep spindles, K complexescomplexes

– Less of stages 3&4 as night Less of stages 3&4 as night goes on (slow, large delta goes on (slow, large delta waves seen here)waves seen here)

– REM increases as sleep REM increases as sleep progressesprogresses

The sleep cycle involves:The sleep cycle involves:– REM sleepREM sleep– Non-REM (NREM) sleep Non-REM (NREM) sleep

REM-sleep deprivation leads REM-sleep deprivation leads to REM reboundto REM rebound

Paradoxical sleep/sleep Paradoxical sleep/sleep paralysisparalysis

The Typical Sleep CycleThe Typical Sleep Cycle

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

InsomniaInsomnia: Involves insufficient sleep, the inability : Involves insufficient sleep, the inability to fall asleep quickly, frequent arousals, or early to fall asleep quickly, frequent arousals, or early awakeningsawakenings

Sleep apneaSleep apnea: Respiratory disorder in which : Respiratory disorder in which person intermittently stops breathing while asleepperson intermittently stops breathing while asleep

NarcolepsyNarcolepsy: Involves sudden REM sleep attacks : Involves sudden REM sleep attacks accompanied by cataplexy (dog video)accompanied by cataplexy (dog video)– Cataplexy: Sudden loss of muscle control that occurs

before narcoleptic sleep attack; waking form of sleep paralysis

Sleep DisordersSleep Disorders

Night terrorsNight terrors: The screaming of a child in deep : The screaming of a child in deep sleep, who once awakened has no memory of sleep, who once awakened has no memory of what mental events might have caused the fearwhat mental events might have caused the fear

REM behavior disorder:REM behavior disorder: Person does not lose Person does not lose muscle tone during REM, allowing them to act out muscle tone during REM, allowing them to act out their dreamstheir dreams– http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFXYRQ9xPUAhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFXYRQ9xPUA

Dreams as Meaningful EventsDreams as Meaningful Events Freud believed dreams served the following Freud believed dreams served the following

two functions:two functions:– Relieve psychic tensions/guard sleepRelieve psychic tensions/guard sleep– Sources of wish fulfillmentSources of wish fulfillment

Manifest (story) v. latent (symbolic) contentManifest (story) v. latent (symbolic) content

Dream contentDream content– Varies by culture, gender, and ageVaries by culture, gender, and age– Frequently connects with recent experienceFrequently connects with recent experience– May help us form memoriesMay help us form memories– Illogical, difficult to remember, emotionalIllogical, difficult to remember, emotional

Limbic system active, frontal lobe inactiveLimbic system active, frontal lobe inactive

Dreams as Random Dreams as Random Brain ActivityBrain Activity

Activation-synthesis theoryActivation-synthesis theory: Theory that : Theory that dreams begin with random electrical dreams begin with random electrical activation coming from brain stem; dreams activation coming from brain stem; dreams are brain’s attempt to make sense of this are brain’s attempt to make sense of this random activityrandom activity

Hobson and McCarleyHobson and McCarley

Dreams also a source of creative insightsDreams also a source of creative insights