Consciousness Is the Psychology of Awareness

Consciousness Is the Psychology of Awareness Theories Cognitive Psychology Print Consciousness Is the Psychology of Awareness By Kendra Cherry facebook twitter Kendra Cherry, MS, is an author, educational consultant, and speaker focused on helping students learn about psychology. Learn about our editorial policy Kendra Cherry Reviewed by Reviewed by Amy Morin, LCSW on February 24, 2020 facebook twitter instagram Amy Morin, LCSW, is a psychotherapist, author of the bestselling book 13 Things Mentally Strong People Dont Do, and a highly sought-after speaker. Learn about our Wellness Board Amy Morin, LCSW on February 24, 2020 swissmediavision / Getty Images More in Theories Cognitive Psychology Behavioral Psychology Developmental Psychology Personality Psychology Social Psychology Biological Psychology Psychosocial Psychology While people often talk about consciousness, it can be somewhat difficult to define. Consciousness refers to your individual awareness of your unique thoughts, memories, feelings, sensations, and environment. Your consciousness is your awareness of yourself and the world around you. This awareness is subjective and unique to you. Your conscious experiences are constantly shifting and changing. For example, in one moment you may be focused on reading this article. Your consciousness may then shift to the memory of a conversation you had earlier with a co-worker. Next, you might notice how uncomfortable your chair is, or maybe you are mentally planning dinner. This ever-shifting stream of thoughts can change dramatically from one moment to the next, but your experience of it seems smooth and effortless. Some different states of consciousness include sleep, dreams, hypnosis, hallucinations, meditation, and the effects of psychoactive drugs. Early Research on Consciousness For thousands of years, the study of human consciousness was largely the work of philosophers. The French philosopher Rene Descartes introduced the concept of mind-body dualism or the idea that while the mind and body are separate, they do interact. Once psychology was established as a discipline separate from philosophy and biology, the study of the conscious experience became one of the first topics studied by early psychologists. Structuralists used a process known as introspection to analyze and report conscious sensations, thoughts, and experiences. Trained observers would carefully inspect the contents of their own minds. Obviously, this was a very subjective process, but it helped inspire further research on the scientific study of consciousness. The American psychologist William James compared consciousness to a stream; unbroken and continuous despite constant shifts and changes. Psychoanalyst Sigmund Freud focused on understanding the importance of the unconscious and conscious mind. While the focus of much of the research in psychology shifted to purely observable behaviors during the first half of the twentieth century, research on human consciousness has grown tremendously since the 1950s. What Is the Unconscious Mind? How Do Psychologists Define Consciousness? One of the problems with the study of consciousness is the lack of a universally accepted operational definition. Descartes proposed the idea of cogito ergo sum (I think, therefore I am), suggested that the very act of thinking demonstrates the reality of one’s existence and consciousness. Today, consciousness is often viewed as an individual’s awareness of their own internal states as well as the events going on around them. If you can describe something you are experiencing in words, then it is part of your consciousness. In psychology, consciousness is occasionally confused with the conscience. It is important to note that while consciousness involves awareness of yourself and the world, your conscience is related to your morality and sense of right or wrong. Modern Theories of Consciousness Research on consciousness has focused on understanding the neuroscience behind our conscious experiences. Scientists have even utilized brain-scanning technology to seek out specific neurons that might be linked to different conscious events. Modern researchers have proposed two major theories of consciousness: Integrated Information Theory This approach looks at consciousness by learning more about the physical processes that underlie our conscious experiences. The theory attempts to create a measure of the integrated information that forms consciousness. The quality of an organism’s consciousness is represented by the level of integration. This theory tends to focus on whether something is conscious and to what degree it is conscious. Global Workspace Theory This theory suggests that we have a memory bank from which the brain draws information to form the experience of conscious awareness. While integrated information theory focuses more on identifying whether an organism is conscious, the global workspace theory offers a much broader approach to understanding how consciousness works. A Word From Verywell While consciousness has intrigued philosophers and scientists for thousands of years, we clearly have a long way to go in our understanding the concept. Researchers continue to explore the different bases of consciousness including the physical, social, cultural and psychological influences that contribute to our conscious awareness. What Role Does the Conscious Mind Play

Schizophrenia Case Study - 3419 Words

Introduction The patient M. is a 26 year old married female who was brought to the ER by her husband after increased anxiety and depression worsened after a â€Å"spiritual attack† that lasted for over four days. While in the ER the patient admitted to hearing multiple distant male and female voices all around her head and outside of her head. She states not being able to make out the message but interprets them to be negative in nature. She told the ER Doc she felt people were trying to harm her and that â€Å"people in her life have used things against her.† She felt her extended family may have used witchcraft and â€Å"chakra dolls† to cast spells on her. She is cognizant of the strangeness of her claims but believes them to be real†¦show more content†¦Adolescence is a time for great change in this region with development continuing until age 25. The large changes in adolescence might explain why depressed patients often report their teenage yea rs to be the onset of their condition (Porth 1371). This is why early childhood stress or trauma is so detrimental to the developing brain and detrimental to it’s optimal functioning later in life. The neurotransmitters norepinephrine, serotonin is also thought to play a role in depression (Porth 1371). There are decreased levels of these neurotransmitters present in the pre and post synaptic cleft. Dopamine levels have been studied and increased levels of dopamine are found in mania and decreased levels in depression (Porth 1372). In psychotic depression, the most significant change is an abnormality in the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis, which seems to be over stimulated in the psychotic patient. The HPA axis communicates with the pituitary and is a major regulating system of the brain. Specific to depression it deals with the stress response and triggers the release of cortisol. Depressed patients show an increase of cortisol levels in a normal 24 hr period compared to non-depressed patients (Porth 1372) Lastly many depressed people share sleep wake cycle disturbances. They report having trouble either falling asleep, staying asleep or both. They also don’t seem to fallShow MoreRelatedSchizophrenia Case Study1627 Words   |  7 Pageswith schizophrenia compared with second year students although 38.7 % of the sixth-year students still perceived individuals with schizophrenia as being dangerous. Recently, Danaci and colleagues (32) recruited 106 freshman medical school students, who did not receive any theoretical or practical training on psychiatry. After 5 years, students who completed their psychiatry internship were recruited again. Their results revealed that students’ attitudes toward individuals with schizophrenia changedRead MoreCase Study (Schizophrenia)1494 Words   |  6 PagesCase Study (Schizophrenia) Benny is 52 years old and has been working as a driver for a postal company for the past 28 years. He had a very cheerful and normal childhood, with sufficient caring from parents. He loves his parent very much. Benny has been unmarried his entire life. He reports that he has always been nervous with the girls and such and avoids making any significant social overtures with women. He meets his sexual needs matter of fact by visiting a prostitute on a regular basisRead MoreSchizophrenia: Case Study694 Words   |  3 PagesSchizophrenia Schizophrenia is a serious mental health issue that often causes poor emotional responses and a breakdown of standard, common thought processes. 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Regardless of treatment phase, schiz ophrenia intervention is designed to mitigate systemRead Morecase study schizophrenia Essay755 Words   |  4 Pagesï » ¿Case Study: Schizophrenia Answer Sheet Student Name: Diagnosing Randy: 1. Go to the DSM-IV checklist for schizophrenia and list each of Randys behaviors that satisfy the symptom criteria for schizophrenia. Which of Randys symptoms meet any of the criteria? (Be sure to match specific symptoms with specific criteria.) Randy has cognitive symptoms that include trouble focusing, distress, and difficulty paying attention. His positive symptoms include hallucinations as well as delusions. His negativeRead MoreSchizophrenia Article and Case Study1172 Words   |  5 Pages! NOVEMBER 11, 2011 SCHIZOPHRENIA Can You See The Voices? By Natascha Schoepl A Battle Against Himself CONNECTICUT - Ken Steele has heard voices most of his life. He was 14 years old when he started having auditory hallucinations. These voices commanded him to hurt himself and they were predicting his death. Hang yourself, the voices told him. The world will be better off. You re no good, no good at all. The voices got louder and louder everyday and he was no longer in control of hisRead MoreSchizophrenia Case Study Essay1321 Words   |  6 Pagesdifferent theoretical models. In the movie A Beautiful Mind it follows the mathematician John Nash as he struggles with schizophrenia. It an attempt to explain John Nash’s disorder the six different theoretical models will be looked at, they include biological model, psychodynamic model, behavioral model, cognitive model, humanistic model, and socio-cultural model. In John Nash’s case he was a brilliant mathematician who studied at Princeton University during the 1940’s. In the movie it displays JohnRead MoreEssay on A Beautiful Mind: Case Study of Schizophrenia1118 Words   |  5 Pagesmovie is based on the case study of real life mathematician John Nash who suffered from schizophrenia. The aspects of schizophrenia affected John Nash in many ways. Ethics is defined in the textbook as, â€Å"Are the tools or behaviors that one employs to achieve a desired outcome. Means can be either good or bad. Ends are those outcomes that one desires to achieve†(Polgar Thomas, 2008). The movies case study, include the sign and symptoms, social effects and treatment of schizophrenia and how it took aRead MoreSchizophrenia Case Study And Early Onset Signs1151 Words   |  5 PagesSteven Quinn Dr. Carlin Cognitive Disabilities 12/6/15 Schizophrenia Case Study and Early Onset Signs Experts agree that Schizophrenia is a syndrome with signs and symptoms that are thought to co-occur in ways that distinguish it from other syndromes and from normal thoughts and behaviors. Schizophrenia can also be defined as a psychotic disorder with, impairments in reality, disturbances of perception and thought experienced as hallucinations, delusions, hearing voices, seeing things that are notRead MoreDiscuss How and Why Particular Research Methods Are Used at the Biological Level of Analysis1242 Words   |  5 PagesDiscuss how and why particular research method are used at the biological level of analysis. The biological level of analysis in psychology refers to the study of how human behaviour, thoughts and emotions can be affected and affect the biological factors/ physiology of human body. Laboratory experiments, case studies and correlation studies are the three main research methods applied in supporting the principles of the biological of analysis in psychology. First, laboratory experiments. Laboratory

The Rise Of China By Emerson Pyrke - 1329 Words

The Rise of China – By Emerson Pyrke Over the past couple decades, we have seen china on a fast rise and growing very quickly, in fact, China s economic growth and active diplomacy are already transforming east Asia and in future decades we will see even greater increases in Chinese power and influence just knowing this information raises a wide range of different questions ranging from What can western country’s do if anything to maintain their positions as china rises? Or even questions such as Will China Overthrow the existing order or become a part of it? These are some of the various questions that the world Is questioning about China rising so quickly. Judging from china’s previous actions observers have stated that as china rises†¦show more content†¦In this world drama and the rapid growth economically and population wise in china we may be looking at in future reference a new Asian world order and it really raises the questions listed before is the western world coming to an end? What can western country’s do if anything to maintain their positions as china rises? Although these allegations are far-fetched may be open ended they are still valid and although the rise of china may be inevitable it does not have to trigger a state of where the western world automatically dismantles and where china will create new world order implementing their own international rules and their own international image shaping the world. This does not have to be the case as china rises. Although the western world and china are two very different things with their own different images of each other and thoughts of each other we cannot deny the facts. With china’s current growth being so high and so persistence and steady projections are that by 2020 at most china will overtake the US economy (GDP) and by the year 2050 the Chinese economy will have been projected to have doubled the US economy (GDP). Now many westerners may see this as a major surprise. This is because brought up as a westerner in a nation state you tend to think within your region of thought this is not the case with china and their current situation. At the moment China is a huge developing country with a population of over 1.3 billion people which has been growing

Solving Problems Free Essays

In this essay, I will solve two problems from our textbook Elementary and Intermediate Algebra; I will solve problem 56 on page 437 and problem 10 on page 444. For my first problem, I will choose an appropriate variable to help solve the equation, for my second equation I will identify the form of the equation I end up with once it is solved. I will also introduce five math vocabulary words, they are, extraneous, proportion, cross multiply, and extreme-means and the will be in bold. We will write a custom essay sample on Solving Problems or any similar topic only for you Order Now Problem number 56 states: To estimate the size of the bear population on the Keweenaw Peninsula, Conservationists captured, tagged, and released 50 nears. One year later, a random sample of 100 bears included only 2 tagged bears. What is the conservationist’s estimate of the size of the bear population? This is a ratio equation and my variable will be b, b= bear population b =100 50 2 2*b= 50*100 cross multiply the extreme-means 2b=5000 b= 5000 2 b= 2500 bears 2500 is the conservationist’s estimation of the bear population. This equation is not an extraneous solution because the denominator does not equal zero. Problem number 10 y-1= -3 this problem is a proportion x+3 4 (y-1)*4=(x+3)-(-3) cross multiply the x and y which are the extreme and means 4y-4=-3x-9 distribute the 4 and the -3 4y=-3x-9+4 add 4 to both sides 4y=-3x-5 divide both sides by 4 y= -3 x-5 both of these fractions are in parentheses the x and – are outside the () 4 4 The linear equation in the form of y=mx+b with the slope of -3,  4 This essay discussed two problems from our textbook Elementary and Intermediate Algebra. It introduced five vocabulary words to help explain the steps in solving the two problems, those vocab words are extraneous, proportion, cross multiply, and extreme-means. This essay identified the variable in problem one, and identified the form of the equation in problem two. Reference Dugopolski, M. (2012). Elementary and intermediate algebra (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Publishing. How to cite Solving Problems, Papers

Traffic Modeling Essay Example

Traffic Modeling Essay Traffic Modeling Traffic modeling in a sense is an overview of general traffic flow calculations. It provides a blueprint and a layout of incoming and outgoing traffic with a formula to calculate the timing of overall cars involved within the traffic flow. With the vast roads and streets managing traffic can be difficult without the proper calculations. Mathematical functions can be ways to express simplicity with the eliminations of difficult equations through the use of practical formulas. Many can be used to resolve the model of how traffic flows, but Learning Team D has used the Gauss-Jordan Elimination technique to simplify and conclude the precise amount of car flow managed per street and per hour. Noticing that Elm Street and Maple Street can only handle 1500 cars per hour, and the other streets with the maximum of 1000 cars per hour handling capabilities, Gauss-Jordan Elimination came into effect. An augmented matrix took form to assist with the elimination and help create numeral systems of linear equations. These linear equations explain how the Gauss-Jordan Elimination technique is performed. With minimal information given from this equation this technique helped shaped an understanding of where numbers can be properly placed. There are seven total variables and six intersections in the equation with each variable representing the number one. Using the Gauss-Jordan Elimination technique, ones and zeros have to be placed in a precise order to result in perfect flow and manage accountability of vehicles coming in and out of the road. Solving the linear equations gave the total number of vehicles within the hour passing through each road which is represented by the variables. We will write a custom essay sample on Traffic Modeling specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Traffic Modeling specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Traffic Modeling specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer The result is as follows with the sum of the combined roads equaling out to the total vehicles per hour: Intersection 1 (f+a=1700), Intersection 2 (g+b=1600), Intersection 3 (c+b=1500), Intersection 4 (c+d=1600), Intersection 5 (d+g=1700), and Intersection 6 (e+f=1800). With these linear equations formulating the result and managing the constant flow of traffic was simple with the help of the Gauss-Jordan Elimination. One-way streets generally have higher motor vehicle capacity than two-way streets. Increasing a streets capacity induces more driving. One-way streets generally serve through-traffic first, local traffic second. One-way streets are oriented towards serving people driving through the neighborhood rather than people who live, work, shop, walk and bike in the neighborhood. While one-way streets can simplify crossing for pedestrians who only need to look in one direction, and some studies have shown that one-way streets tend to have fewer pedestrian crashes, one-way streets generally have faster vehicular speeds than two-way streets, making crashes deadlier and more destructive. Making a one-way street back to two-way would allow better local access to businesses and homes and to slow traffic. Two-way streets tend to be slower due to friction, especially on residential streets without a marked center line, and they may also eliminate the potential for multiple-threat crashes that exists on multi-lane, one-way streets Single or double traffic lanes, either face-to-face or with a median, sometimes flanked by parking. The benefits might be less driving, less confusion, and better traffic access. More might also be eliminates the need to drive blocks and blocks out of the way. You might not have a need to make extra turns to get to nearby destinations. In conclusion traffic modeling helps with maintain the roads and the traffic in a constant flow. It can tell you what the maximum amount of cars a street can handle without slowing down or restricting the access of the street. Solving these equations can accurately predict the impact that more traffic can cause on a street. These equations can be applied to any traffic flow model and give you an answer that you can work with.

For Whom The Bell Tolls - purpose essays

For Whom The Bell Tolls - purpose essays For centuries upon centuries, the essence of war has shaped and evolved the world that we live in today. There are very few positive characteristics that come out of engaging in war because of how widely detrimental to the world it can be. In the novel For Whom the Bell Tolls, Hemingway takes a relatively small war in the history of wars (Spanish Civil War), and emphasizes some of the detrimental affects war has on human nature. This novel reiterates how war changes the value of human life, how innocence is lost and how romantic love is affected. Hemingway's detached, journalistic style helps focus on the characters senses, like smell, touch, or hearing, although some of this description is restricted to Robert Jordan's perspective. Yet this style of writing also invites a more tangible way of emphasizing those different aspects of human nature that are affected through war. Thus, the purpose that lies behind this novel is to demonstrate war's effect on human nature, which is achieved through illustrating the psychology of the characters, beneath the surface of their The value of human life, as it exists in For Whom the Bell Tolls, varies by character. A recurring point that appears throughout the novel suggests how one comes to value life can determine their loss of innocence. Equally, Hemingway frequently revisits the morality of each character contains regarding their own life and taking the life of others. The two moral stances taken are illustrated through Pablo and his guerilla followers, and Anselmo. Pablo is a character whom has killed many people, thus takes life as he deems necessary to fulfill his objective in sustaining the fascists. Then, there is the other side presented through Anselmo, whom doesn't take pleasure in killing others, yet will take life if necessary to secure his own. Robert Jordan falls somewhere in between these two ...

Chinese Hospitality Customs

Chinese Hospitality Customs Chinese culture is very much centered on the concept of respect. The concept is pervasive in ways of conduct from special traditions to everyday lives. Most Asian cultures share this strong association with respect, particularly in greetings. Whether youre a tourist passing through or looking to make a business partnership, be sure to know hospitality customs in China so that you dont accidentally seem disrespectful. Bowing Unlike in Japan, bowing to one another as a greeting or parting is no longer necessary in modern Chinese culture. Bowing in China is generally an act reserved as a sign of respect for elders and ancestors. Personal Bubble As in most Asian cultures, physical contact is considered extremely familiar or casual in Chinese culture. Therefore, physical contact with strangers or acquaintances is considered disrespectful. It is generally reserved only for those with whom you are close. A similar sentiment is expressed when it comes to exchanging greetings with strangers, which is not a common practice. Handshakes   In line with Chinese beliefs surrounding physical contact, shaking hands when meeting or being introduced in a casual setting is not common, but has grown more acceptable in recent years. But in business circles, handshakes are given without hesitation especially when meeting with Westerners or other foreigners. The firmness of a handshake is still reflective of their culture as it is much weaker than the traditional Western handshake to demonstrate humility. Hosting   The Chinese belief in respect is only further demonstrated in their hospitality customs. In the West, it is commonplace for the guest to show respect for his or her host with the emphasis placed on proper guest etiquette. In China, it is very much the opposite with the burden of politeness placed on the host, whose main duty it is to welcome their guest and treat them with great respect and kindness.  In fact, guests are generally encouraged to make themselves at home and do as they please, though of course, a guest would not engage in any socially unacceptable behavior. Saying Welcome in Chinese In Mandarin-speaking countries, guests or customers are welcomed into the home or business with the phrase æ ­ ¡Ã¨ ¿Å½, also written in the simplified form as æ ¬ ¢Ã¨ ¿Å½. The phrase is pronounced ââ€" º huÄ n yà ­ng (click the link to hear a recording of the phrase). æ ­ ¡Ã¨ ¿Å½ / æ ¬ ¢Ã¨ ¿Å½ (huÄ n yà ­ng) translates to â€Å"welcome† and is made up of two Chinese characters: æ ­ ¡ / æ ¬ ¢Ã‚  and è ¿Å½. The first character, æ ­ ¡ / æ ¬ ¢Ã‚  (huÄ n), means â€Å"joyous,† or â€Å"pleased,† and the second character è ¿Å½ (yà ­ng) means â€Å"to welcome,† making the literal translation of the phrase, â€Å"we are pleased to welcome you.† There are also variations on this phrase that are worth learning as a gracious host. The first fulfills one of the primary hospitality customs, which is offering your guests a seat once they are inside. You can welcome your guests with this phrase:  Ã¦ ­ ¡Ã¨ ¿Å½Ã¦ ­ ¡Ã¨ ¿Å½ è «â€¹Ã¥   (traditional form) or æ ¬ ¢Ã¨ ¿Å½Ã¦ ¬ ¢Ã¨ ¿Å½ è ¯ ·Ã¥   (simplified form). The phrase is pronounced ââ€" ºHuÄ n yà ­ng huÄ n yà ­ng, qÇ ng zuà ² and translates to â€Å"Welcome, welcome! Please have a seat.† Should your guests have bags or a coat, you should offer them an additional seat for their belongings, as placing things on the floor is considered unclean. After guests have been seating, it is customary to offer food and beverage, along with pleasant conversation. When it is time to go, hosts often see the guests off well beyond the front door. The host might accompany his or her guest to the street while they wait for a bus or taxi, and will go as far as waiting on a train platform until the train leaves. 我們éš ¨Ã¦â„¢â€šÃ¦ ­ ¡Ã¨ ¿Å½Ã¤ ½   (traditional form) / 我ä » ¬Ã©Å¡ Ã¦â€" ¶Ã¦ ¬ ¢Ã¨ ¿Å½Ã¤ ½   (simplified form) ââ€" ºWÇ’ men suà ­ shà ­ huÄ n yà ­ng nÇ  can be said when exchanging final goodbyes. The phrase means â€Å"We welcome you anytime.