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OBJECTIVES
Understand the definition of Consciousness and and its different states Understand the importance of the study of consciousness Understand a continuum of conscious-nonconscious processes Gain a scientific understanding of the different altered states of consciousness Learn and apply empirical approach to the study of psi phenomena praticularly the ESP
1. Definition of Consciousness
A stream, or ever changing flow of awareness (William James, 1950) Awareness of your external or internal stimuli
Principle of continuum consciousnonconscious process different levels of awareness of one's own mental activity i.e. from extreme alertness to the deepest coma of vegetative state
FOCUS external or internal; single or multiple DEGREE OF ATTENTION focused vs automatic process
Definition: Between the continuum of conscious and non-conscious which are radical deviations from overall pattern of functioning of the mind during the normal and ordinary waking state of consciousness.
3. SLEEP
Repair Theory
Sleep allows body to repair and replenish itself. During Non-REM sleep, growth hormone is secreted and immune system is more active. Sleep evolved because it conserved energy at a time that you couldn't hunt for food and helped some species avoid harm.
Adaptive Theory
2 types of SLEEP
NON-REM sleep
STAGES OF SLEEP
Stage 1 slowing of heart rate and muscle relaxation, alpha level Stage 2 - appearance of bursts of brain waves called sleep spindles and K complex.
Night Terrors
Bed-wetting (enuresis)
Apnea - difficulty in breathing while sleeping and even cessation of breathing. It may last from 20 seconds to 2 minutes. Dyssomnia - Primary Insomnia and Primary Hypersomnia
Drowsiness: unintended sleep Increased irritability and depression Decreased socialization and sense of humor Decreased Cognitive and Athletic Performance Decreased Concentration, memory, problemsolving skills, creativity and decision-making
4. DREAMS
Crick and Mitchison, 1983 mechanism for debugging and tuning the networks of cells in the cerebral cortex to avoid information overload
Activation synthesis theory - brain attempts to make sense of neural activities that take place during sleep.
What is a dream?
- A dream can include any of the images, thoughts and emotions that are experienced during sleep.
Characteristics of Dream
Dreams Often Feature Intense Emotions Dreams Are Frequently Disorganized and Illogical Strange Dream Content Is Accepted Without Question People Often Experience Bizarre Sensations Dreams Are Difficult to Remember
Psychoanalytic:Interpretation of Dreams
- content
- manifest content of a dream, or the actually imagery and events of the dream, served to disguise the latent content, or the unconscious wishes of the dreamer.
Freud also described four elements of this process that he referred to as dream work: Condensation Many different ideas and concepts are represented within the span of a single dream. Information is condensed into a single thought or image.
Displacement This element of dream work disguises the emotional meaning of the latent content by confusing the important and insignificant parts of the dream.
Symbolization This operation also censors the repressed ideas contained in the dream by including objects that are meant to symbolize the latent content of the dream. Secondary Revision During this final stage of the dreaming process, Freud suggested that the bizarre elements of the dream are reorganized in order to make the dream comprehensible, thus generating the manifest content of the dream.
FRITZ PERLS
Dreams are a special message about what is missing in our lives, what we avoid doing, or feelings that need to be reowned. Often these are parts that have been ignored, rejected or even suppressed. Dreams are usually used for therapy.
The levels of unconscious is best understood by a dream through the collective unconscious.
An adoption of the theory of Carl Jung on archetypes
5. Hypnosis
Inducement of trance
Hyper-alert hypnotic trance Post-hypnotic Amnesia
Uses of Hypnosis
Smoking * Weight Control * Child Birthing * Alcohol Abuse * Pain Management * Snoring * Insomnia * Exam Anxiety * Academic Achievement * Public Speaking *Communication Skills * Stress Management * Self Esteem * Self Confidence * Nail Biting * Teething Grinding (Bruxism) * Bedwetting * Memory * Procrastination * Creativity * Reading Faster * Sports Performance * Body Building *Concentration * Goal Achievement * Relationship Problems * Sexual Problems * Social Confidence * Teen Problems * Self-Image * Prosperity Issues * Motivation * Forgiveness * Shyness * Stuttering * Fears and Phobias * Dental Fears * Overcoming Blocks * Pre-Surgery * Skin Problems * IBS *Tinnitus * Asthma * Fibromyalgia/CFS * Compulsive Obsessions * Grief * Healing * Intuition * Life Energy * Personal Wisdom
6. MEDITATION
7. PSYCHOACTIVE DRUGS
Are chemical substances capable of altering or changing behaviors, moods, and perceptions (entheogens). Classifications: Depressants, Stimulants, Hallucinogens, Cannabis, Opiates Note: these drugs are not like any other normal drugs because they can actually through you blood-brain barrier.
Depressants
They depress the CNS, in effect, slowing down behavior and cognitive processes.
barbiturates, benzodiazepines, and alcohol.
Stimulants
Stimulants ("uppers"). This category comprises substances that wake one up, stimulate the mind, and may even cause euphoria, but do not affect perception.
Hallucinogens
Hallucinogens, including psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants. This category encompasses all those substances that produce distinct alterations in perception, sensation of space and time, and emotional states. Lysergic Acid Diethylamide
Cannabis
a genus of flowering plants that are indigenous to Central Asia, and South Asia. Cannabis has long been used for fibre (hemp), for seed and seed oils, for medicinal purposes, and as a recreational drug. A by-product of Cannabis is Marijuana the dried leaves of cannabis
Opiates
are constituents or derivatives of constituents found in opium, which is processed from the latex sap of the opium poppy, Papaver somniferum.
Morphine
Heroin
Psi Phenomenon
Concept of Parapsychology
Two types: Psi-Gamma (paranormal cognition) and Psi Kappa (paranormal action)
Paranormal Psychology beside psychology, investigates the claimed abilities of some individuals to interact with the environment in ways not yet explained by science.
Consists of perceptions that does not involve the stimulation of the five senses. Subject matters: study of the existence and causes and conditions of psychic abilities, neardeath experiences, out-of-body experience, crisis apparitions, retro-cognitions, reincarnation memories, regression memories, prophecy, ghosts and life after death.
TELEPATHY thought transference from one person to another, or mind-to-mind communication CLAIRVOYANCE literally means clearsighted or clear vision. It refers to the ability to see things without making use of the sense of sight, and the ability without a sender that intentionally transfers information PRECOGNITION ability to predict the future events. It is manifested through dreams or prophecies.
Free-response Test