Overview
This lecture covers the concept of consciousness in psychology, including its definitions, states, and the processes related to attention and awareness.
Defining Consciousness
- Consciousness refers to our awareness of ourselves and our environment.
- It is a central topic in psychology, focusing on how and why we experience awareness.
- Consciousness includes both alert awareness and altered states, such as dreaming or hypnosis.
States of Consciousness
- Normal waking consciousness occurs when we are alert and aware of our thoughts and surroundings.
- Altered states of consciousness include sleep, dreams, meditation, drug-induced states, and hypnosis.
- These altered states can be voluntary (like meditation) or involuntary (like dreaming).
Theories of Consciousness
- Dualism proposes that mind and body are separate but interact.
- Materialism suggests consciousness arises purely from physical processes in the brain.
Attention and Consciousness
- Selective attention allows us to focus on specific stimuli while ignoring others.
- The “cocktail party effect” describes our ability to focus on one conversation in a noisy environment.
- Inattentional blindness occurs when we fail to notice visible objects because our attention is elsewhere.
Functions of Consciousness
- Consciousness helps in planning, decision-making, and voluntary control of behavior.
- It aids in monitoring the self and the environment for relevant information.
Sleep and Dreaming
- Sleep cycles through different stages, including REM (rapid eye movement) and non-REM sleep.
- REM sleep is associated with vivid dreaming and brain activity similar to wakefulness.
- Sleep is essential for restoring the body, consolidating memories, and emotional regulation.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Consciousness — awareness of self and environment.
- Selective attention — focusing conscious awareness on a particular stimulus.
- Altered states of consciousness — conditions significantly different from normal waking consciousness.
- REM sleep — sleep stage with rapid eye movements and dreaming.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the stages and functions of sleep.
- Read textbook sections on consciousness, attention, and sleep for deeper understanding.