...Psychology, Unit 3 - Chapter 2: Consciousness Consciousness: being aware of external and internal stimuli at any given moment, which also gives a: * Sense of personal identity and individual way of perceiving the world. It can include your senses and * Perceptions of the world around you as well as memories, beliefs and attitudes Consciousness is also described to be: * Personal - it is subjective and your own perception of your internal world and the external world * Selective - you are able to limit and restrict your attention and channel your focus onto whatever * Continuous - there is never a break in your consciousness or a time where it is empty * Changing - your thoughts are constantly changing as they are easily influenced by external stimuli RENE DESCARTES - MIND & BODY ARE SEPARATE BUT INTERCONNECTED The mind-body problem debates whether the mind and body can interact, and how, or if there is even a ‘mind’ or ‘body’. Rene Descartes dualism theory states the two substances are distinct, as one is physical and one is non-physical. He believes they are able to interact through the pineal gland, which is the center of the brain (it was later discovered that’s actually where hormones are) and that the two substances can affect each other. He defined consciousness as ‘encompassing everything we are aware of, including our own existence’. It exists in the mind or ‘soul’, but also in our body because the soul does not occupy space. His quote...
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...Are naps just a waste of time or are they helpful? Many famous historical figures took naps. Commonplace people nap to revive themselves. There are many studies that show that naps are inoperative for some people. But there are others that show a multitude of positive adjustments to their daily life. Many people famous people such as John F. Kennedy, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton took naps. Naps are generally good for people because it increases memory and helps deal with pressures and stress. Naps can result in an increase in memory. Source #3 titled “Ask the Sleep Doctor” implies that napping increases memory. To quote Source #3 “The researchers found that napping improved memory….” This means that napping can improve consciousness....
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...Major Drug Interaction: Applies to: venlafaxine, mirtazapine MONITOR CLOSELY: Concomitant use of agents with serotonergic may potentiate the risk of serotonin syndrome, which is a rare but serious and potentially fatal condition thought to result from hyperstimulation of brainstem 5-HT1A and 2A receptors. Symptoms of the serotonin syndrome may include mental status changes such as irritability, altered consciousness, confusion, hallucinations, and coma; autonomic dysfunction such as tachycardia, hyperthermia, diaphoresis, shivering, blood pressure lability, and mydriasis; neuromuscular abnormalities such as hyperreflexia, myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, and ataxia; and gastrointestinal symptoms such as abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. MANAGEMENT: In general, the concomitant use of multiple serotonergic agents should be avoided if possible, or otherwise approached with caution if potential benefit is deemed to outweigh the risk. Patients should be closely monitored for symptoms of the serotonin syndrome during treatment. Particular caution is advised when increasing the dosages of these agents. The potential risk for serotonin syndrome should be considered even when administering serotonergic agents sequentially, as some agents may demonstrate a prolonged elimination half-life. For example, a 5-week washout period is recommended following use of fluoxetine before administering another serotonergic agent. If serotonin syndrome develops or is suspected during...
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...12, 2012 Epilepsy Epilepsy which is also known as a seizure disorder is a chronic brain disorder that stops the normal electrical flow to the brain causing seizures. PubMed Health (2012) states “Epilepsy occurs when permanent changes in brain tissue cause the brain to be too excitable or jumpy.” Epilepsy is a subject near to my heart due to my boyfriend’s daily battles with this disease. He is either taking a drug store worth of pills every day or he risks of having a seizure. According to A.D.A.M. Medical Encyclopedia (2012) “A seizure is a sudden brief change in the electrical and chemical activity in your brain” The attack only takes a few minutes, and once it is over, the victim is tired and confused as he regains consciousness. Epilepsy is one of the earliest forms of mental diseases that were recorded in history. Epilepsy occurs when the clusters of cells or neurons signal abnormally affecting the brain. Normally, the neurons act as information highways in the body as they determine the feelings that someone gets. In the case, where one has epilepsy the neurons normal activity pattern is disturbed causing the body to react in a funny manner ranging from strange feelings, convulsions, muscle spasms, and even loss of consciousness. Epilepsy affects all people differently, attacking frequently in some, while in others attacking only seldom. Epilepsy can be attributed to the seizures, but having seizures can not necessarily mean one...
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...Like most people who probably hear the word hypnosis, I associated it with people on stage being made to do embarrassing things like clucking like a chicken and barking like a dog. The words “look into my eyes, you are feeling very sleepy” came to mind. Hypnosis in many people’s opinions will be all about shows on stage for people’s entertainment. My perceptions about hypnosis have changed vastly. As I have learnt that it is completely different to what it is sometimes perceived to be and there is much more science involved. The history of hypnosis goes back a long way (thousands of years). In the 18th century the most influential figure in the development of hypnosis was Dr Frantz Anton Mesmer also known as the grandfather of hypnosis. He was an Austrian doctor who was a charismatic and at times controversial personality. He believed that the human body produced an invisible magnetic fluid and the magnets could restore the balance of magnetic fluid and this would cure the patient’s illness. He soon discovered that he could reach the same successful results by passing his hands over the patient which he did for hours at times. He named this method “animal magnetism”. He used strange mechanisms, ethereal music and created a séance-like atmosphere all of which aided in inducing trance. He was able to perform many cures using the technique that became named after him, Mesmerism. However, the medical establishment at the time, Viennese Medical Council, could find no logical...
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...affect the brain’s chemistry in order to correct an imbalance or abnormality. They have many medicinal uses, beneficial to humans, yet people use them recreationally. Former athletes used them primarily for medicinal uses but most soon fell into addiction or abused them on others. They have various effects on us as humans, creating altered states of consciousness that causes us to even forget what we are doing and hurt ourselves. Fortunately, there are rehabilitation centers and drug organizations that help spread awareness and provide drug abuse help. In January 2012, Former NFL Darren Sharper filed a worker’s compensation claim in California that described health problems including sleep, in which he was given prescription Ambien, a brand name of Zolpidem used to treat insomnia, by his doctor. He was a frequent user, going through 70 pills in 65 days in January 2014 ("Darren Sharper case spotlights sleep drug's dark side", 2014). January 12, 2014, he was found with 20 pills when arrested by Los Angeles officers as a suspect for two rape cases. He is also suspect for at least 4 other cases in various states throughout the United States. Sharper is not the only person who has turned to Zolpidem for sleep treatment. In fact, he is one of the growing numbers of former and current NFL players who use Zolpidem, even to the point of addiction, just to help them sleep, due to the head injuries gained from playing in the NFL. Although it is not the #1 drug out there, it is “among...
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...Michelle Rissman My Love For The Beach Strayer University PSY 105 July 26, 2012 Psychology plays a role in each persons life. Liking or disliking something is based on each person. The reasons we like or dislike something have psychological reasons. I will discuss my love for family beach days and why I love family beach days. Through this explanation it will be easy to determine how psychology plays a role in how and why. The amazing smell of salt, wetness, and greasy food. The sounds of crashing waves, seagulls and children's cachinnation. On a hot sunny day, there is absolutely nothing better to do, then spend a day on the beach with family. As a child, my most unrivaled memories are days chasing waves. It is both exciting and scary being swept up by a wave to be taken out just a little bit farther. As a parent, I see on my own children's faces, the same emotional struggle; is it safe? Should I go back? No way, its so much fun!!! A day on the beach is never the same as the last. There are endless possibilities, as long as you have an imagination. I adore going to the beach. My fondness for the beach is foremost reasoned by cognitive psychology. Cognitive psychology focuses on cognitive processes, every aspect of our mental life, our thoughts, memories, dreams, fantasies, and reasoning (Baron & Kalsher, 2008) . Cognition means “knowing”. Cognitive psychology focuses on the way humans process information. There for, cognitive psychology is the understanding...
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...Chapter 1: Thinking Critically With Psychological Science Textbook: i. The Need for Psychological Science a) Did We Know It All Along? Hindsight Bias i. Hindsight bias = Something has happened makes it seem inevitable ii. Not because common sense is usually wrong, but because common sense more easily describes what has happened than what will happen b) Overconfidence iii. We tend to think we know more than we do c) The Scientific Attitude iv. Curiosity 1. Empirical approach v. Skepticism = persistently asking two questions: What do you mean? How do you know? 2. Scientific attitude: being skeptical but not cynical, open but not gullible vi. Humility = an awareness of our own vulnerability to error and an openness to surprises and new perspectives d) Critical Thinking ii. How Do Psychologists Ask and Answer Questions? e) The Scientific Method vii. A scientific theory explains through an integrated set of principles that organizes observations and predicts behaviour or events. viii. Hypotheses ix. We should be aware that it can bias subjective observations x. Operational functions = a statement of the procedures used to define research variables. For example, human intelligence may be operationally defined as what an intelligence test xi. Replicate – repeat xii. Finally – organizepredictionsrevised...
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...Chapter Overview 5.1 Overview: Consciousness, Brain Activity, Levels of Awareness CONCEPT LEARNING CHECK 5.2 Stages of Sleep CONCEPT LEARNING CHECK 5.1 Consciousness and Psychology 5.3 Dreams Theories of Dreams Dreams as a Reflection of Unconscious Wishes 5.2 Sleep Biological Rhythms and Stages of Sleep Sleep Theories Effects of Sleep Deprivation Sleep Disorders Insomnia Sleep Apnea Narcolepsy Parasomnias CRITICAL THINKING APPLICATION Dreams as Interpreted Brain Activity Dream Contents CONCEPT LEARNING CHECK 5.3 Theories of Dreams 5 Learning Objectives States of Consciousness 5.1 5.2 Define consciousness. Describe how consciousness relates to psychology. Describe the changes in brain wave activity that occur during the different stages of sleep. Understand why sleep deprivation is harmful. Understand why deep sleep is important. Understand why REM sleep is important. Describe some common sleep disorders. 5.3 5.4 5.5 5.6 Describe the two main theories of dreams. Explain the two theories of hypnosis. Discuss the effects and benefits of meditation. List and describe the four categories of psychoactive drugs. Describe the effects of psychoactive drugs on the nervous system. 5.4 Hypnosis Critical Thinking About Hypnosis Theories of Hypnosis Altered State of Consciousness Role Playing Divided Consciousness 5.6 Drug Use Mechanism of Action of Psychoactive Drugs Depressants Alcohol Narcotics/Opiates Summary of...
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...Aaron Estes Dr. Javazon Biology 101 27 October 2013 Going Under: The Science of Anesthesia 40 million anesthetics are administered each year in this country by Anesthesiologists. (4) Anesthesiologists administer about a dozen drugs to produce the numb sensation of Anesthesia. (1) Sedatives, opiates, and muscle relaxants all play a vital role in creating the unconsciousness of patients. (1) The role of the anesthesiologist in the operating room is to: provide continual medical assessment of the patient, and monitor the patient's vital life functions. They must also control the heart rate and rhythm, breathing, blood pressure, body temperature and body fluid balance; and control the patient's pain and level of unconsciousness to make conditions ideal for a safe and successful surgery. (5) The side effects patients may experience from Anesthesia make it a cautionary practice. Patient may experience such as: nausea, abnormal heart rhythms, or fogginess. (1) More severe side effects include: brain injury or death.(1) These possible side effects led scientist to research the effect anesthesia has on the human brain. The underlying question remains: Can in depth research on the human brain he make general anesthesia more efficient to eliminate the side effects? When Anesthesia was initially discovered in the 1840’s, patients would either drink large amount of alcohol, take opiates or they’d have to suffer through the trauma of surgery without any alleviator...
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...Hypnotherapy . Throughout time Hypnosis has been labelled with various definitions, and by some has been seen as mystical and weird. However, as advances have been made in science there has been a slow but significant switch in opinion regarding the aspects of Hypnosis. The American psychologist Clark Hull said of hypnosis,"All sciences alike have descended from magic and superstition, but none have been so slow as hypnosis in shaking off the association of its origin" (Clark Hull, Hypnosis and suggestibility, 1984). Hypnosis is now recognised as a medical therapy with evidence of improved wellbeing in its participants. In a nutshell, hypnosis is when a subject agrees to undergo hypnotherapy, and if suggestible, can be putinto a trance state where the subconscious mind can be unlocked and the conscious mind takes a back seat for a while causing the subject to become completely relaxed. During this phase the mind is more open to positive suggestions. For Hypnotherapy to take place the individual undergoing the therapy needs to be suggestible. This means that the client is not only willing to participate in the therapy, but also has belief in the treatment and its possible positive results for them. Several experiments have been carried out to substantiate this theory, for example by Solomon Ash. In his study a willing subject was asked to participate in what appeared to be a simple line-judging test along with 7 other subjects. All were shown 3 lines of varying lengths and asked...
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... | | |The Transcendental Meditation (TM) technique is a procedure that is |This is an online website that offers a large collection of meditation techniques to reduce | | |practiced 20 minutes twice a day while you sit comfortably with your eyes|stress and attain peace of mind. There are two meditation techniques available on this | | |closed. This meditation allows the mind to settle inward beyond thought. |website Eastern and Western. | | |It is a silent and peaceful level of consciousness. A state of restful | | |Summary of resource: |alertness that allows your brain to function with greater coherence as | | | |your body gains deep rest. |...
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...Jolene Patch PSY 134 April 15, 2013 C. Nelson Most dreams contain messages that serve to teach us something about ourselves. Unfortunately, many a times we forget what we dream about. We go about our daily lives and routines without thinking about a dream we may have had that night. With recurring dreams, the message may be so important and /or powerful that it just will not go away. The frequent repetition of such dreams forces you to pay attention and confront the dream. The dream is trying to tell you something. Such dreams are often nightmarish or frightening in their content, which also helps you to take note and pay attention to them. Recurring dreams are quite common and are often triggered by a certain life experience or situation or a problem that keeps coming back again and again. These dreams may recur daily, once a week, or once a month, but whatever the frequency, there is little variation to the dream. It usually points to a personal weakness, fear, or your inability to cope with something in your life – past or present. The repetitive patterns in your dreams can reveal some of the most valuable information on yourself. It may point to a conflict, situation or matter at work or at home, a situation in your waking life that remains unresolved or unsettled. Some urgent underlying message in your unconscious is demanding to be understood. Dreams are strongly associated with sleep. They may occur in all stages of sleep including the REM sleep and...
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...What Is Hypnosis? Hypnosis is an artificially inducted state of relaxation and concentration in which deeper parts of the mind become more accessible. It is a psychological phenomenon, an interaction between two people, one of whom is indentified as the hypnotist , the other as the subject. Hypnosis is a normal state of mind, one which most people go in and out of every day. When we are watching a movie that you are engrossed in, driving down a long monotonous road, listening to music that captures a mood or engrosses us, we are in hypnosis. This is not a guide or spiritual being, is a scientific discovery of a function of our brain. It is a complex phenomenon, the coming together of a number of psychological processes such selective attention, relaxation, creation of expectancy, imagination, rapport between the hypnotist and subject, some degree of conformity and compliance. In fact, you have been in an hypnotic state literally thousands of times. You didn’t notice it because it seemed such a natural state of mind. And the hypnotic state is natural for all humans and many animals. .... Everything you have learned is stored in your subconscious. Because you have already learned to drive, your driving skills is stored in your subconscious so it is why so easy we can switch off our conscious mind and let it drifts off and use our driving skills stored in subconscious. Historically, hypnosis was regarded by many as something very mysterious, unusual to take control over...
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...7: States of Consciousness CHAPTER PREVIEW Consciousness is our awareness of ourselves and our environment. Conscious information processing enables us to exercise control and to communicate our mental states to others. Beneath the surface, unconscious processing occurs simultaneously on many parallel tracks. Our daily schedule of waking and sleeping is governed by a biological clock known as circadian rhythm. Our sleep also follows a repeating cycle. Awakening people during REM sleep yields predictable “dreamlike” reports that are mostly of ordinary events. Freud’s view that dreams can be traced back to erotic wishes is giving way to newer theories, for example, that dreams help us process information and fix it in memory or that dreams erupt from neural activity. Studies of hypnosis indicate that, although hypnotic procedures may facilitate recall, the hypnotist’s beliefs frequently work their way into subjects’ recollections. Hypnosis can be at least temporarily therapeutic and has the potential of bringing significant pain relief. Hypnosis may be an extension both of normal principles of social influence and of everyday splits in consciousness. Psychoactive drugs also alter consciousness. Depressants act by depressing neural functioning. Although their effects are pleasurable, they impair memory and self-awareness and may have other physical consequences. Stimulants act at the synapses by influencing the brain’s neurotransmitters. Their effects depend on...
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