Psychologists have discovered that human beings experience several different sta

Question

Psychologists have discovered that human beings experience several different states of consciousness during the course of a day. For example, people have times when they are especially alert and times when they are awake but not alert, often called "daydreaming." Also, while people are asleep, they experience different stages of sleep, each characterized by different patterns of brain and bodily activity.

In a multi-paragraph essay, discuss the different states of consciousness that you have experienced in the past 24 hours, including any periods when you were asleep, alert, or "daydreaming." Be sure to describe both the brain and bodily activity you experienced during each state of consciousness. Include information from class materials, readings, and research on states of consciousness to support your discussion.

Explanation / Answer

During the earliest phases of sleep, you are still relatively awake and alert. The brain produces what are known as beta waves, which are small and fast. As the brain begins to relax and slow down, slower waves known as alpha waves are produced. During this time when you are not quite asleep, you may experience strange and extremely vivid sensations known as hypnagogic hallucinations. Common examples of this phenomenon include feeling like you are falling or hearing someone call your name. Another very common event during this period is known as a myoclonic jerk. If you have ever startled suddenly for seemingly no reason at all, then you have experienced this phenomenon. While it might seem unusual, these myoclonic jerks are actually quite common. Stage 1 is the beginning of the sleep cycle and is a relatively light stage of sleep. Stage 1 can be considered a transition period between wakefulness and sleep.This period of sleep lasts only a brief time (around five to 10 minutes). Stage 2 is the second stage of sleep and lasts for approximately 20 minutes. The brain begins to produce bursts of rapid, rhythmic brain wave activity known as sleep spindles. Body temperature starts to decrease and heart rate begins to slow. Stage 3-Deep, slow brain waves known as delta waves begin to emerge during stage 3 sleep. This stage is also sometimes referred to as delta sleep.During this stage, people become less responsive and noises and activity in the environment may fail to generate a response. It also acts as a transitional period between light sleep and a very deep sleep. Stage 4-Most dreaming occurs during the fourth stage of sleep, known as rapid eye movement (REM) sleep. REM sleep is characterized by eye movement, increased respiration rate, and increased brain activity. REM sleep is also referred to as paradoxical sleep because while the brain and other body systems become more active, muscles become more relaxed. Dreaming occurs due to increased brain activity, but voluntary muscles become immobilized. Daydreams are not typically a complete exclusion from the outside world but are a focus inward on our thoughts and imagined experiences. They are an altered state of alertness/consciousness that takes us away from pressures and stress; some would call this escapism. In the past 24 hours,I have transitioned from a deep sleep non REM sleep with my body completely not responding to any noise around me to stage 4 of dreaming in my sleep,and I have really vivid dreams,I also show some reactions in my dreams which my mother has noticed.After the dream fades away I am back to stage 2 and 1 of sleep,wherein now I am kind of awake.Day dreaming also takes place with me wherein while working I do digress from my work,and start thinking about some other things going on inside my head.Right now also I was day dreaming,thinking about my plans for next since my brain got stressed and tired of working,so maybe its a good to shift your focus for certain time but it doesnt happens consciously.

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