PS101 Chapter 5: Chapter 5- States of Consciousness
Document Summary
What is consciousness: consciousness: moment to moment awareness of ourselves and environment. Psychology= science of mind (wundt, titchener: seemed ideally suited to psychology, difficult topic. No one definition of what it is: no agreement. Infer much from absence of consciousness: perform many mental functions without being aware of it (discriminating) Measuring consciousness: how do we operationally define inner state, self reports: direct but not verifiable, physiological: are objective but cannot indicate what person is experiencing subjectively, behavioural: performance on tasks, need to infer state of mind. Circadian rhythms: brain & environment: circadian rhythms regulated by suprachiasmatic nuclei (scn, scn= brains biological clock (regulates sleep/wake patterns & cycles, scn neurons link to pineal gland, which secretes melatonin. Circadian rhythms: neurons in scn are active during the day time. Raises body temperature and alertness: neurons in scn become inactive at night. Melatonin promotes relaxation and sleepiness: free running circadian rhythms. Natural wake-sleep cycle is longer then 24 hours.
