Measures of Consciousness in Biopsychology

This page introduces the concept of consciousness and its components in the context of biopsychology. It explores the ongoing debates surrounding consciousness and presents a comprehensive definition.

Consciousness is defined as a state of awareness or alertness in which the subject is cognizant of their environment and self. The document outlines four key components of consciousness:

1. Awareness of external stimuli and events
2. Awareness of internal state
3. Awareness of self
4. Awareness of personal thoughts involving various experiences

Definition: Consciousness is the state of awareness including feelings, sensations, ideas, perceptions, and a sense of self.

The page also describes four distinctive features of consciousness:

1. Private: Consciousness is a solitary, mental process.
2. Changing: Perceptions continuously evolve and change.
3. Continuous: There is no identifiable beginning or end to experience.
4. Selective: Focus is limited to selected stimuli.

Highlight: The interplay of these four features creates what is known as a "stream of consciousness," a continuous flow of changing experiences that remain uniquely personal.

Vocabulary: Measuring consciousness psychology involves studying these components and features to understand the nature of awareness and alertness.

Freud's Levels of Consciousness

This page explores Sigmund Freud's theory of consciousness, which proposes three distinct levels: conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. It also introduces additional levels of consciousness beyond Freud's original model.

Freud's three levels of consciousness are:

1. Conscious level: The level at which a person perceives thoughts and feelings in the present moment.
2. Preconscious level: The level from which a person can quickly recall memories or stored knowledge.
3. Unconscious level: The level containing repressed desires, wants, and impulses of which a person is unaware.

Quote: "According to Freud, the unconscious controls much of your conscious behavior, whether you are aware of it or not."

The unconscious level is described as containing past traumas, hidden hostilities, and desires that one may not be proud of. Freud believed that all levels of consciousness played a role in influencing personality and behavior.

Two additional levels of consciousness are introduced:

1. Nonconscious: Automatic body processes that function without conscious thought, such as breathing or sweating.
2. Subconscious: The level of consciousness that picks up external signals that the conscious mind does not notice.

Vocabulary: The Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool used in medical settings to assess levels of consciousness, particularly in cases of brain injury or altered mental states.

Example: Subliminal advertising attempts to influence the subconscious mind by briefly presenting messages that the conscious mind may not notice.