PSYC 100 Chapter Notes -Mescaline, Basal Forebrain, Diazepam
10 Dec 2012
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Document Summary
It enhances our ability to adapt to our environment. It makes information available to brain regions involved in planning and decision making. It also helps us cope with novel situations and override impulsive and autopilot behaviors. Dynamic (ever changing): in and out of states, even though stimuli are changing, we exit as continuously flowing. Subjective and private: other people cannot directly know what reality is for you or can you enter into other"s stream of mental activity, rather than as disjointed perceptions and thoughts. Self-reflective and central to sense of self: aware of its own consciousness means you can reflect on the fact that you are the one who is conscious of it. Connected to selective attention: consciousness reflects whatever is illuminated at the moment. Self-report measures: ask people to describe their inner experiences, offer most direct insight but not always verifiable or possible to obtain (eg unconscious behaviour) Behavioural measures: record people"s performance on special tasks.
