lesson 3 altered states of consciousness 2013

Monday, 7 January 2013

Lesson 1 Normal Waking ConsciousnessExam Question

Use the following information to answer Questions 2 and 3.Roy was in a room learning words for a play in which he was to perform. While he was learning the words, a clock was ticking noisily in the room. However, Roy was able to focus and concentrate on learning his words without being distracted by the sound of the clock.

Question 2In terms of levels of awareness, Roy’s ability to focus on learning the words of the play is best explained asA. a controlled process that involves mental effort.B. an automatic process that involves mental effort.C. an automatic process that involves minimal awareness.D. a controlled process that involves minimal awareness.

Question 3During the time when he was learning the words of the play, it would be expected that Roy’s thalamusA. processed all the sensory information and was not highly activated.B. processed all the sensory information and was highly activated.C. directed his attention simultaneously towards learning the words and the sound of the clock ticking.D. directed his attention towards learning the words while simultaneously filtering out the sound of the clock ticking.

2012 VCAA Exam


Altered States of Consciousness

Any state we experience that is different to a normal state of consciousness.

This can be judged on the characteristics that we determine our normal state of consciousness:

* Level of Awareness* Content Limitations

* Controlled and automatic processes* Perceptual and cognitive distortions

* Emotional awareness* Self-control

* Time Orientation


Consciousness Activity

Get out a pen and paper and start writing down all the thoughts that come in to your mind

Keep writing until told to stop

Don’t talk to those around you

Don’t read over what you have written or worry about spelling and/or grammar - just keep writing


Distortions in Cognition. Where there any changes in thought content? Disorganised thought, fantasy etc?



Changes in emotional feeling? Do you feel a change in how you feel dependent on what you were

writing about?


Disturbed sense of time? How long do you think we were writing for?



writing about?


Disturbed sense of time? How long do you think we were writing for?

Distortions of Perception? Did you notice any changes in perception? Were you

more or less aware of the outside world?



writing about?


Sleep/dreaming/daydreaming• thought patterns are disorganised• distorted perception of time• lack of control of movements• sensations and perceptions are dulled

Hypnosis• distorted perception of time• sensations or perceptions are dulled (for example, pain)• loss of awareness of self• can increase self control (for example, quitting smoking)• more suggestible, so less inhibited

From drug use• thought processes are disorganised• sensations or perceptions are dulled or heightened• memory impaired• more/less/inappropriate emotional reactions• distorted perception of time• lack of self control

So why are the following ASC?


Self-control – Did he have difficulty maintaining self control, coordinating and controlling movements?


Distortions in Cognition. Do you think his thoughts were disorganised, will he remember this in

the morning?




the morning?

Changes in emotional feeling? What do you think his emotional state would be like?



Disturbed sense of time? Do you think he

would know how long he had been drinking? Or how long he was in the

shop?


the morning?




Disturbed sense of time? Do you think he

would know how long he had been drinking? Or how long he was in the

shop?

Distortions of Perception? Would this guy notice be experiencing any

changes in perception?


the morning?




What else would you do to learn the difference between NWC and ASC?


Essential Learning ActivitiesActivity 1 Watch the first five minutes of The Simpsons Season 14 Episode 2: ‘How I spent my Strummer Vacation’.http://www.watchcartoononline.com/the-simpsons-season-14-episode-2-how-i-spent-my-strummer-vacation

1 Make a list of the various ways Homer tried to alter his state of consciousness. Categorise these altered states of consciousness as drug-induced or non drug- induced.

2 List the various effects that Homer experienced while in an altered state of consciousness. Categorise these changes in terms of:> perception—sight, hearing, smell, taste, touch> thinking—including problem solving, reasoning and understanding> memory> emotions> behaviours—including self-control, coordination, balance and speech> perception of time—e.g. understanding the amount of time that has passed

Activity 2 Create a mind map comparing normal waking consciousness and altered states of consciousness on each of the following characteristics:

• level of awareness• content limitations• controlled and automatic processes• perceptual and cognitive distortions• emotional awareness• self-control• time orientation

Table 3.2 p64 of Oxford Text will assist you with the material required to complete this activity.


http://www.watchcartoononline.com/the-simpsons-season-14-episode-2-how-i-spent-my-strummer-vacation




lesson 3 altered states of consciousness 2013

Documents

disorganised thought

learningthe words

thought content

emotional awareness

minimal awareness

controlled process

distortions of perception

level of awareness