Lecture on Consciousness

Introduction to Consciousness

• Consciousness is an experience that cannot be easily defined or measured.
• Fundamental yet abstract concept in psychology, akin to energy in physics or life in biology.
• Defined as awareness of self and environment.

The Nature of Consciousness

• Described as a stream (William James) or a roving flashlight.
• Constantly shifting focus: moment-to-moment awareness shifts.
• Allows contemplation, planning, and reflection.
• Similar to "The Force" for mental processes.

States of Consciousness

• Includes waking, sleeping, and altered states.
• Altered states can be triggered spontaneously or through physiological/psychological means.
• Future episodes will explore different states more deeply.

Cognitive Neuroscience

• Studies the link between brain activity and mental processes.
• Uses neuroimaging technologies to explore brain states.
• Structural Imaging: Shows anatomy for identifying tumors, diseases, injuries.
• Functional Imaging: Shows activity like blood flow, relates mental functions to brain areas.
• Neuroimaging revolutionized psychology but interpretation is debated.

Dual Process Models of Consciousness

• Conscious, deliberate mind versus implicit, automatic mind.
• Automatic mind processes vast amounts of sensory information without conscious awareness.
• Selective attention allows focusing on specific stimuli.

Selective Attention and Inattention

• Selective Attention: Focuses on particular stimuli, tuning out others.
• Inattentional Blindness: Failure to notice obvious things when focused elsewhere.
• Change Blindness: Failure to notice changes in the environment.

Practical Applications and Cautions

• Notable experiments: Invisible Gorilla, person swap demonstrate inattentional/change blindness.
• Magicians use these phenomena as misdirection.
• Can impact eyewitness testimony and perception in daily life.
• "Use The Force wisely" – awareness can be limited.

Conclusion

• Awareness is limited even in waking states.
• Next episode will explore consciousness in states like sleep or hallucination.
• Summary of topics introduced: defining consciousness, neuroimaging, split consciousness, selective attention.