Consciousness & the Two-Track Mind
What is the difference between the brain and the mind?
• “The mind is what the brain does”
Dual processing and the two track mind
• Upper - Consciousness– Deliberate thought and action
• Lower - Unconscious– Automatic– Does most of the brain’s work “back stage”
then moves it into our consciousness
Upper conscious
• Only completely focus on one task at a time
• E.g. Tap 4 times with left hand and 3 times with right (difficult)
Selective attention
• Cocktail party effect
• Driving and cell phone
Sleep
Circadian Rhythms
• 24 hour sleep cycle
• Changing from working nights to days
• Transpacific flight– Tokyo to Seattle– Going West to East is hardest
• Sun is moving East to West)
Brain Waves during Sleep
• Alpha waves
• Sleep spindles
• Delta waves
• REM sleep
Brain Waves During Sleep
• Alpha waves – Awake & relaxed
• Transition (Stage 1)• REM (Rapid Eye Movement)• Sleep spindles (Stage 2)
– Bursts of rapid rhythmic brain activity– Lasts about 20 minutes
• Delta Waves (Stage 3 & 4)– Deep sleep– Slow waves– Lasts about 30 minutes
REM Sleep (Rapid Eye Movement)
• 90 Minute cycle
• More in infants than adults
• Dreaming
• Helps consolidate memories
• Sexual (genital) arousal
Typical nights sleep
Sleep Disorders
• Insomnia– Persistent trouble falling or staying asleep
• Narcolepsy– Sleep (seizure)– Falling asleep immediately for about 5 minutes– May occur at many inopportune (or serious)
times (e.g. having sex)
Sleep Disorders (Cont.)
• Sleep apnea– You stop breathing while asleep
– Snort air and fall back asleep
• Night Terrors– Mostly children
– Appear terrified - sits up or walks around
– Usually remembers little or nothing the next morning.
Sleep & the life cycle
Hypnosis
• A relaxed state in which the hypnotist suggests certain perceptions and feelings or thoughts.
• Some people may be more susceptible to being hypnotized than others.– Particularly if they strongly believe they can be
hypnotized.
• You can not be hypnotized against your will.
Posthypnotic suggestion
• Suggestions given during hypnosis that you will act a certain way after the session.– Cigarettes or weight loss
Social influence theory of hypnosis
• Hypnotized subjects are simply acting out the role of a good hypnotic subject.
