STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS

1. STATES OF CONSCIOUSNESS PRACTICE EXAM QUESTIONS FEBRUARY 2012

2. Question 1 • Consciousness is best defined as: • State of wakefulness • Focussed condition • Highly ordered state of thinking • State of awareness

3. Question 1Answer • D Consciousness is best defined as a state of awareness, as this definition takes into account that there are different levels of consciousness from wakefulness through to unconsciousness. The other alternatives are more indicative of being in a state of normal waking consciousness.

4. Question 2 • The term “consciousness” is best described as: • A state focussing on our internal existence and activities • The awareness of external stimuli and of one’s internal state • A condition distinguished by specific physiological processes • The ability of a person to respond to objects and events within their external environment

5. Question 2Answer • B “Consciousness” is defined as the awareness of objects and events in the external world and the subject’s own existence and activities. A and D only address part of this definition. C is too vague, especially as the various levels or states of consciousness have different types of physiological activity.

6. Question 3 • While attempting these questions, you are probably focussing your awareness on this book and ignoring what is going on around you. This attribute of normal waking consciousness is characteristic of • Selective attention • Divided awareness • Controlled processing • Automatic processing

7. Question 3Answer • A Selective attention.

8. Question 4 • Psychologists identify significant alterations in both the quality and pattern of mental functioning as: • Cognitive enhancement • Altered states of consciousness • An aspect of normal waking consciousness • A progression into a state of subconsciousness

9. Question 4Answer • B Psychologists identify significant alterations in both the quality and pattern of mental functioning as altered states of consciousness.

10. Question 5 • Which of the following characteristics is not consistent with being in a state of ordinary or normal waking consciousness? • Attention is focussed on external stimuli or on internal thoughts and feelings • Thinking is clear and structured • Continuity of our memory over time may be disrupted • An awareness of time constraints

11. Question 5Answer • C All of the characteristics are consistent with being in a state of ordinary or normal waking consciousness except the disruption of continuity of our memory over time.

12. Question 6 • Andreas, an accomplished musician, often likes to play his guitar while he is talking with his friends and is able to do so without being distracted from the discussion. For Andreas, playing the guitar would be considered: • A controlled process, because it involved higher levels of awareness, mental effort and focussed attention • An automatic process, because it involved higher levels of awareness, mental effort and focussed attention • A controlled process, because it did not interfere with the other task and could be performed with little conscious effort and minimal attention • An automatic process, because it did not interfere with the other task and could be performed with little conscious effort and minimal attention.

13. Question 6Answer • D For Andreas, playing the guitar would be considered an automatic process because it did not interfere with the other task and could be performed with little conscious effort and minimal attention.

14. Question 7 • Rodric was practising some meditation techniques involving a mantra and controlled breathing. Which of the following is he most likely to experience? • A distorted sense of time • A lowered pain threshold • Improved clarity of thought • Heightened control of his emotions

15. Question 7Answer • A While meditating, Rodric is most likely to experience a distorted sense of time.

16. Question 8 • Recent research by Dr. Jackie Andrade of Sheffield University suggests that surgical patients may be able to pick up information despite being under the influence of a general anaesthetic. The study found that patients develop memories of conversations going on around them. On the basis of these findings, it appears that the patients in the study were • In a state of normal waking consciousness • In a state not unlike a coma • In an altered state of consciousness • Not given enough anaesthetic

17. Question 8Answer • C The findings from Dr. Andrade’s study suggest that the patients were in an altered state of consciousness. Such patients were not fully awake and conscious (A) and yet were not fully unconscious (B) as they were able to develop memories of activities going on around them. If they were not given enough anaesthetic (D) then they would adversely react to the pain of the surgical procedures.

18. Question 9 • Describe two characteristics one would expect in an altered state of consciousness. 2 marks

19. Question 9Answer • Perceptual distortions, including changes in pain thresholds, or experiencing sensory stimulation more vividly, or losing the sense of where the self ends and the environment begins (such as the feeling of sinking into the floor when meditating) • Cognitive distortions, including illogical or disjointed thinking which could affect the ability to form accurate memory and even memory lapses/blackouts. • A disturbed sense of time, (slowing down, or sped up). • Changes in emotional feeling and self control, including a loss of usual inhibitions and an openness to the influence of suggestions.

20. Question 10 • What types of behaviour would be indicative of automatic processes? Clarify your answer with an example. 2 marks

21. Question 10Answer • Automatic processes involve those actions that require little conscious effort and minimal attention. In other words, lower levels of awareness. They are usually well-rehearsed and may be performed unconsciously and/or simultaneously with other tasks. For example, walking to your classroom or singing along with your favourite song.