Human Consciousness

1. Consciousness conceives,
governs, constructs, and
becomes the activity of the
body.
~Deepak Chopra~
Consciousness is
the internal
perception of the
rejection of a
particular wish
operating within us.
~Sigmund Freud~

2. Psycholog
y
chaPter #5
Consciousness

5. Consciousness
• Consciousness is a type of mental state, a
way of perceiving
• The state of being aware of an external
object or something within oneself
• Consciousness may involve thoughts,
sensations, perceptions, moods, emotions,
dreams, and self-awareness

7. Freud’s Levels of Consciousness
Conscious
Level
Thoughts
Perceptions
Preconscious Level
Memories
Stored Knowledge
Unconscious Level
Fear Selfish Needs Irrational wishes
Violent Motives Shameful Experiences

9. Levels of Consciousness
(In these levels of Consciousness, awareness is more
limited)
• The Preconscious Level=Stored knowledge,
memories
• The Unconscious Level=“Subconscious” The info
is hidden (ex. Going to a party/stalling)
• The Nonconscious Level= basic biological
functions exist here (ex. Hair growing)

10. Unconscious Level
• according to Freud, a reservoir of mostly
unacceptable thoughts of which we are
unaware but which influence our behavior

11. Sigmund Freud:
Exploring The Unconscious Mind
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ho4PzRp3Fwk
Being entirely
honest with
oneself is a good
exercise.
Sigmund Freud

12. Altered States of Consciousness
• The expression was used as early as
1969 by Charles Tart and describes
induced changes in one's mental
state, almost always temporary.
• EXAMPLES: Sleep, Drugs,
Medication,
Biofeedback, Hypnosis

13. The Mind Awake and Asleep
• http://www.learner.org/series/discoveringp
sychology/13/e13expand.html

14. Sleep
• Sleep is a state of
consciousness.
• We are less aware
of our surroundings.
• Circadian Rhythm

15. Sleep
• REM sleep: A stage in the normal sleep cycle
during which dreams occur and the body
undergoes marked changes including rapid eye
movement, loss of reflexes, and increased pulse
rate and brain activity.
• NREM sleep: non-rapid eye movement
“quiet sleep” slow, regular breathing, absence of
body movement, slow, regular brain activity

16. NREM Sleep
• NREM sleep is divided into four stages
• STAGE ONE
• STAGE TWO
• STAGE THREE
• STAGE FOUR
• PG.107-108 LOCATE AND CHART THE
DIFFERENCES OF THESE 4 STAGES