PSY-1200 Chapter Notes -Default Mode Network, Circadian Rhythm, Mind-Wandering
Document Summary
Consciousness: a state of awareness of ongoing experiences occurring both internally and in the world around us. A special type of consciousness: self-awareness: the special understanding of the self as distinct from other stimuli. William james coined the term stream of consciousness . Freud used consciousness to refer to aspects of the mind that could be retrieved voluntarily. Self-awareness aspect might be the rarest of all among living things. Varying states of awareness (sleep or awake) allow animals to rest (repair bodies) and conserve energy and maximize safety. One advantage of consciousness is ability to choose responses rather than to respond instinctively. Self-awareness can heighten drive to survive (understanding of being alive heightened meaningfulness of self-preservation) Recognizing one"s self in a mirror is a major milestone in achieving self-awareness. Some think self-aware consciousness exists only in species that exhibit complex social behavior. The brain houses the mind, which houses consciousness and unconscious functions like long-term memory.
