Characteristics of consciousness
Behavioural measures of consciousness
Record performance on specific tasks
Objective method as they require us to assume the person’s state of minf
Consciousness
Our moment to moment awareness of ourselves and our environment
physiological methods of measuring states of consciousness
establish a connection between bodily processes and mental states. eg measuring brainwave patterns
3 levels of Freud’s consciousness
why do we have consciousness?
Self-Report Measures
ask people to describe their inner experiences.
problematic for research
Behavioural Measures
Glasgow Coma Scale Mirror Test (red dot on face)
Physiological Measures
establish connection between bodily processes and mental states
eg. measuring brainwaves
level of consciousness: Cognitive Viewpoint
conscious and unconscious mental life are complimentary forms of information processing working together.
Unconscious perception: visual agnosia
inability to recognise objects visually
Unconscious perception: Blindsight
occurs when an individual is blind but can still respond to stimuli
Unconscious perception: Priming
Unconscious perception: Emotional Unconscious
emotional and motivational processes operate unconsciously and influence behaviour
Neural bases of consciousness
Circadian Rhythms
SCN in hypothalamus
Circadian Disruptions: Jet Lag
how to minimise jet lag
Circadian Disruptions: Night Shifts
Circadian Disruptions: Seasonal Affective Disorder
- same symptoms as depression (considered a mood disorder, use light therapy to treat)
What is sleep?
why do we sleep?
Factors affecting sleep: Environmental