ConsciousnessConsciousness

Are you as aware as you think?Are you as aware as you think?

Objectives

Analyze the nature of consciousnessAnalyze the nature of consciousness Describe the stages of sleep and list Describe the stages of sleep and list

possible sleep problems.possible sleep problems. Explain how meditation, biofeedback, Explain how meditation, biofeedback,

and hypnosis relate to consciousness.and hypnosis relate to consciousness. Describe the various kinds of drugs and Describe the various kinds of drugs and

their effects on consciousness.their effects on consciousness.

The Study of Consciousness

In 1904, William In 1904, William James asked the James asked the question; Does question; Does Consciousness Consciousness exist?exist?

He was concerned He was concerned that there was no that there was no scientific way to scientific way to study study consciousness.consciousness.

Behavioral view of Consciousness.

John Watson the John Watson the founder of American founder of American Behaviorism.Behaviorism.

1913 He wrote 1913 He wrote Psychology as a Psychology as a Behaviorist Views It”Behaviorist Views It”

““The time seems to The time seems to have come when have come when psychology must psychology must discard all references to discard all references to consciousness”consciousness”

Consciousness as a Construct

Many psychologists Many psychologists believe believe consciousness can consciousness can be studied by be studied by observing behavior. observing behavior. (I.e. talking with (I.e. talking with brain waves)brain waves)

Consciousness as a Construct

What is a construct?What is a construct? Consciousness as a Consciousness as a

psychological psychological construct is a construct is a concept used to talk concept used to talk about something we about something we cannot see.cannot see.

Intelligence, emotion Intelligence, emotion and consciousness and consciousness are all constructs.are all constructs.

Meanings of Consciousness

Consciousness as Consciousness as Sensory AwarenessSensory Awareness– The sights, sounds, The sights, sounds,

smells and feelings smells and feelings you are aware of.you are aware of.

– Attention allows us to Attention allows us to select what we are select what we are aware of.aware of.

– We are more aware We are more aware of unusual stimuli.of unusual stimuli.

Meanings of Consciousness

Consciousness as Consciousness as Direct Inner Direct Inner Awareness.Awareness.– You jump into a cool You jump into a cool

pool on a hot day.pool on a hot day.– Your feelings of hurt, Your feelings of hurt,

fear, anger, love, lust fear, anger, love, lust or attraction.or attraction.

Awareness of how Awareness of how you feel.you feel.

Meanings of Consciousness

Consciousness as Consciousness as Awareness of SelfAwareness of Self– Young children will Young children will

sometimes refer to sometimes refer to themselves by name.themselves by name.

– It is not until later It is not until later that we begin to that we begin to recognized ourselves recognized ourselves as unique as unique individuals.individuals.

The Preconscious Level

If we could put it in a If we could put it in a hierarchy this falls in hierarchy this falls in the middle.the middle.

It contains stored It contains stored knowledge and knowledge and memories.memories.

This is constantly in This is constantly in flux.flux.

Unconscious Level

This was first This was first identified by Freud.identified by Freud.

He believed that all He believed that all our true desires our true desires often the most base often the most base are in this region. are in this region.

Some items move Some items move into preconscious to into preconscious to conscious level.conscious level.

Conscious Level

This is what you are This is what you are currently aware of.currently aware of.

Your current Your current perceptions and perceptions and thoughtsthoughts

Usually very short Usually very short duration but may be duration but may be extended through extended through concentration.concentration.