PSYCHOLOGY 1100 CONSCIOUSNESS EXAM
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
How would you describe phenomenology?
The philosophy of experience and consciousness --> the unique experience of how
each person observes themself and the world around them
What is the problem of "other minds?"
The fact that each subjective experience is inaccessible to the other, and we cannot
know if someone's subjective experience is the same as ours
What is the brain-mind relationship?
Regarding the intrinsic link between the two and their cognitive functions --> everything
that is psychological is simultaneously biological (the mind is what the brain does)
What are the features of consciousness?
Intentionality: Directed towards a goal or purpose (ex. studying in order to do well on the
exam)
Unity: Integration of all sorts of information "the whole is greater than the sum of its'
parts" (ex. group of trees becomes a forest)
Selectivity: Ability to focus on one stimulus at a time while filtering out other stimuli (ex.
"cocktail party effect")
Transience: Consciousness and attention shifts around, constant inputs of information
(ex. daydreaming during a conversation or lecture)
Dual Processing
The ability to absorb and process information both consciously and unconsciously -->
Some info. is processed consciously on one level and processed unconsciously on
another level (similar to parallel processing)
What are the levels of consciousness?
1) Unconscious: Information that is not immediately available to our accessible
conscious
2) Preconscious: Information that is easily accessible if attention is drawn to it
3) Divided Attention: The ability to conduct multiple tasks, both mental and physical, at
once. (ex. being able to drive while talking, thinking, making plans for the future, etc.) -->
potentially limited to humans
4) Altered/Minimal Consciousness: Hallucinations, sleep-walking, sleeping, dreaming,
daydreaming --> Minimal or even compromised consciousness where in which mind
inputs some sensations and outputs behaviours
5) Fully Conscious: Being tuned into one's environment and self (self-consciousness)
Altered Consciousness
Daydreaming: demonstrates that the brain-mind cannot be inactive --> default network
Intrusive Thoughts: Often triggered by ironic processes(trying to avoid thinking about
the intrusive thought strengthens it and makes you think about it more) --> negative
thoughts, associated with PTSD and is most effectively combatted with exposure
therapy
Sleep and Dreaming
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS LATEST UPDATE
How would you describe phenomenology?
The philosophy of experience and consciousness --> the unique experience of how
each person observes themself and the world around them
What is the problem of "other minds?"
The fact that each subjective experience is inaccessible to the other, and we cannot
know if someone's subjective experience is the same as ours
What is the brain-mind relationship?
Regarding the intrinsic link between the two and their cognitive functions --> everything
that is psychological is simultaneously biological (the mind is what the brain does)
What are the features of consciousness?
Intentionality: Directed towards a goal or purpose (ex. studying in order to do well on the
exam)
Unity: Integration of all sorts of information "the whole is greater than the sum of its'
parts" (ex. group of trees becomes a forest)
Selectivity: Ability to focus on one stimulus at a time while filtering out other stimuli (ex.
"cocktail party effect")
Transience: Consciousness and attention shifts around, constant inputs of information
(ex. daydreaming during a conversation or lecture)
Dual Processing
The ability to absorb and process information both consciously and unconsciously -->
Some info. is processed consciously on one level and processed unconsciously on
another level (similar to parallel processing)
What are the levels of consciousness?
1) Unconscious: Information that is not immediately available to our accessible
conscious
2) Preconscious: Information that is easily accessible if attention is drawn to it
3) Divided Attention: The ability to conduct multiple tasks, both mental and physical, at
once. (ex. being able to drive while talking, thinking, making plans for the future, etc.) -->
potentially limited to humans
4) Altered/Minimal Consciousness: Hallucinations, sleep-walking, sleeping, dreaming,
daydreaming --> Minimal or even compromised consciousness where in which mind
inputs some sensations and outputs behaviours
5) Fully Conscious: Being tuned into one's environment and self (self-consciousness)
Altered Consciousness
Daydreaming: demonstrates that the brain-mind cannot be inactive --> default network
Intrusive Thoughts: Often triggered by ironic processes(trying to avoid thinking about
the intrusive thought strengthens it and makes you think about it more) --> negative
thoughts, associated with PTSD and is most effectively combatted with exposure
therapy
Sleep and Dreaming
