State Of Consciousness
1. Many states have banned cell phone usage while driving. As your text states, its believed we cannot multitask because both driving and talking/texting are thought processes that make heavy demands on our conscious awareness. What is consciousness? What are some ways in which you multitask throughout the day? How does multitasking impact your awareness or affect the quality of your work whether its a job, home or school? Now, think about an example where being aware would be important in your chosen field. 2. What is an altered state of consciousness? Which of the following altered states have you EVER experienced? Daydreams Lucid Dream (Controlling what you do in your dream, how your dream ends, etc.) Prophetic Dream (Dreaming about something that comes true in the future) Deep Meditation Hyperalertness (Being extremely alert and aware of your surroundings) Trance (Rapt attentiveness to a single stimulus) Rapture (Having intense feelings and overpowering emotions Near Death Experience Choose two and describe what happened. If you were awake, how did the experience alter your being aware of your surroundings? 3. Another method for attaining an altered state of consciousness is drugs. While some drugs have their purpose such as sedation for surgery or controlling pain or anxiety, drugs can be dangerous. Define the term psychoactive drug, and distinguish between physical and psychological dependence on drugs. Would drugs be used in your chosen field? If so, explain how and what effects, good and bad it would have on the person. 4. We all know that sleep is important and that our lives can be affected when we dont get enough of it but what happens when sleep goes wrong? Describe and differentiate among the various sleep disorders. Have you or anyone you know suffered from a sleep disorder? Describe how it affect their life. Video:
