Human Behavior Lecture: States of Consciousness

Introduction

• Focus on methods and techniques to explore consciousness.
• Consciousness remains a heavily debated topic, notably in dualism vs. materialism.
• Consciousness can be described as a state of awareness, both self and environmental awareness.
• It's not binary but exists on a spectrum.

Variability of Consciousness

• Consciousness is not an on/off state; people can be semi-conscious.
• Consciousness varies with emotional states, attention, sleep, etc.
• Significant changes occur during sleep (e.g., dreaming).

Biological Rhythms

• Consciousness fluctuates following biological rhythms.
• Circadian Rhythms: 24-hour cycles, influenced by endogenous and exogenous factors.
  • Examples: Sleep-wake cycle, body temperature regulation.
• Infradian Rhythms: Longer than 24 hours.
  • Examples: Menstrual cycle, hibernation.
• Ultradian Rhythms: Shorter than 24 hours.
  • Examples: Various physiological processes, attention spans.

Circadian Rhythms

• Endogenously controlled but influenced by external cues.
• Experiments show people have internal 24-hour cycles.
• Key structure: Suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) in the hypothalamus.
• Jet Lag: Disruption in SCN synchronization with external cues.
  • Resulting in poor sleep, digestion issues, and impaired cognitive function.

Infradian Rhythms

• Annual cycles affecting hormones and mood.
  • Example: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) treated with phototherapy.
• Menstrual cycle and its psychological/physiological impacts.
  • No consistent evidence linking psychological symptoms directly to the menstrual cycle; sociocultural factors may play a role.

Sleep and Consciousness

• REM Sleep: Associated with dreaming; characterized by rapid eye movements.
• Non-REM Sleep: Composed of multiple stages with varying brain wave patterns.
• Brain repairs and replenishes during sleep.
  • Lack of sleep affects cognitive functions such as creativity and problem-solving.
  • Severe sleep deprivation may result in hallucinations, psychosis, or death.

Sleep Disorders

• Sleep Apnea: Breathing interruptions lead to fatigue, cardiovascular issues.
• Narcolepsy: Sudden sleep attacks during the day.
• REM Behavior Disorder: Acting out dreams due to lack of muscle inhibition.

Conclusion

• Alterations in states of consciousness are closely linked with physical and environmental factors.
• The study of consciousness involves understanding these rhythms and their impact on our mental and physical health.
• Next steps include exploring the content and functions of dreams.