Consciousness In Psychology

The study of consciousness in modern day psychology is becoming increasingly difficult to explain. In the early days of consciousness studies it may have been explained as our experience or awareness (Blackmore, 2010). However, over a number of years, there have been many psychologists who have contributed many important theories towards the explanation of how consciousness works, and its initial existence. As Chalmers states: “There is nothing that we know more intimately than conscious experience, but there is nothing harder to explain” (Chalmers, 1995 p.200). Being one of the leading philosophers in consciousness, David Chalmers introduced the idea of the Hard Problem in 1994. Chalmers defined the hard problem as: “The questions of how physical processes in the brain give rise to subjective experience” (Chalmers, 1995 p.63). Chalmers suggested that he found it difficult to understand how a small mass of grey matter such as the brain could produce conscious experience. These ideas of a ‘hard problem’ in consciousness were rejected by a number of theorists, which will be discussed later in the essay. Another idea which Chalmers has put forward is the zombie. A zombie, according to Chalmers is a being identical to you and I, speaks like you, acts like you, but is not conscious (Blackmore, 2010). A zombie contains no qualia (a physical conscious experience). The idea of the zombie put forward by Chalmers is extremely important in the explanation of consciousness and has been

To define such a universally experienced phenomena as consciousness may seem on the most superficial level rather unnecessary. Yet a more scientific, and at times philosophical, investigation into the phenomena demands some sort of confirmed interpretation which supercedes any such common understanding. For our purposes the content of consciousness may be deemed those things of which one is aware and thus can report. Thinking, as well, and the higher-level mechanisms associated there in may also be components of this consciousness. While additionally an individuals' conception that the way in which she experiences the world comes from more than just the neuronal activity of her brain can be understood as a contribution

Reflective functioning is a human capacity that allows one to experience a more accurate understanding of one’s own and other’s behavior. This reflective capacity includes an understanding of thoughts, feelings, desires, beliefs, and intentions. This capacity likely increases an engagement with another that allows for a more productive, intimate, bonded, and sustaining relationship, while at the same time allowing for an independent and separate mind (Fonagy, Gergely, Jurist, & Target, 2002).

Perception is what makes the mind and body predicament actually obstinate. ‘What is it like to be a bat’ is an intricate argument geared at disproving reductionism according to Nagel (Hirstein, 2012). In human way of thinking, it is possible to imagine being shortsighted and flapping our arms to fly just in the same way bats live their life. A comparable situation can be figured for an individual born blind from the time of birth. The person can develop a rational indulgent of what light is and discover about how sighted people respond, as well as, adapt to it. These people no matter what kind of training offered to them, they will never comprehend what it is like to see. When studying the mind-body problem, consciousness becomes a fundamental

A hemispherectomy is a surgical process in which the brain of a patient is halved and one of these parts is then removed. The procedure is only ever carried out on individuals who are very young, as their brains are still flexible, pliable enough that the remaining portion will then take on the functions of the half that had been removed. Though this process is rather rare, only carried out when the child in question is experiences dramatic seizures that can only be halted in this way, it brings a crucial element to the table, far beyond the medical benefit for one. Hemispherectomies prove that patients can survive with only half of the brain, and thus, if the

To fully understand the complexity of consciousness, it must be defined. However there is no universal accepted definition due to the concept is looked at from many different positions and in different terms. In this essay which will explore altered states affecting consciousness, the definition which will be used is ‘One is aware of surroundings, and is able to make decisions and the ability to apply different experiences to different situations’.

With humans having an innate ability to control, who is controlling who: Humans, the mind, the brain, or the mind or brain behind the machine? Is a question that we could all be asking ourselves in the near future? With the rapid expansion of technology such as smart cars that are intelligent enough to leave the driving to the vehicle. Are we living in an era that we can witness artificial intelligence, the creation of machines built with minds or brains of their own? Many philosophers believe after discovering how the brain really works the possibilities are unlimited.

Learning is throughout our life span in this planet. All humans, animal, and any other form existence have a method of learning. We also learn by seeing or mimicking others. Learning is very important and also knowing learning style is important too. However, There are many learning procedures out there which require with beliefs, behavior, attitudes, knowledge, and various of skills.

Conscious experience is a widespread phenomenon. It occurs at many levels of animal life, though we

The conscious and unconscious mind are two ideas that compliment and contradict each other. Can a person’s action be evaluated as conscious or unconscious? How can you tell a conscious mind apart from an unconscious mind? I believe it is safe to say that the play Hamlet, by William Shakespeare, addresses this question and opens up discussion to critiques with respect to the topic. In the article, “Hamlet: Poem Unlimited”, author Harold Bloom gives an analysis with respect to the New Criticism approach on whether certain characters and events were due to the conscious or unconscious mind. Bloom mentions five major aspects to the play; Hamlet, Horatio, plays within plays, two soliloquies, and Ophelia. He gives examples of Hamlets behavior and Ophelia’s nature to coincide with the conscious and unconscious mind (Bloom 3-11, 37-44). Bloom also points out how connected the audience is to Hamlet through Horatio and how Horatio was the only person Hamlet ever really cared about (13-18). The idea of plays within a play shows how Shakespeare is still in control even though Hamlet has so much freedom and characteristics (19-27). He also mentions the two soliloquies to show how conscious Hamlet is of his actions (29-36). In this paper, Blooms interpretation of the conscious and unconscious mind with respect to the play will be analyzed with my personal views on the topic always keeping in mind of the original text of the play Hamlet. Although Bloom interprets almost every action

“Consciousness” is a term that most philosophers dwell on in a dogmatic state of mind. In philosophical minds “consciousness” covers what things are “like”, including visual experiences or pain. “Consciousness” in the eyes of other professions, such as Psychologist, is simply being aware of one’s surroundings while alert.

(1) What is representationalism about consciousness? What are the pros and cons of representationalism? Do you agree with this view or not? Why?

The second article “Individual psychology: A rich and viable theory for the present and the future” discusss situations that

Human culture expands rapidly and our concept of consciousness is rapidly evolving with it. Philosophers have filled the void concerning the true nature of consciousness not yet determined by science. Despite the subjective nature of consciousness, perceived by many to be a personal and private aspect of human existence, neurobiologists are investigating and measuring objective characteristics of introspective reasoning and associated elements of morality. Most agree that consciousness is key to human happiness and belonging. I will argue that consciousness is a physiological phenomenon, equivalent to the concept of self, as well as a portal to one’s culture, collective experience and fulfillment. I contend that it is critical to

As an individual makes their way through life, it is easy to forget the exquisitely beautiful and complex inner lives that seemingly play second fiddle towards the immediacy of the everyday. Self-reflection can serve as a vital tool for one to understand, analyze, and correct behaviors or outlooks that affect the way everyday interactions are handled. One such way to reflect is through the use of online evaluations, which can measure everything from assertiveness to deep underlying characteristics. The tests to identify the Locus of Control are based on an individual’s perception of direct or indirect control over their own situation. However, some might say that an individual’s position in life can be entirely dictated by the level of assertiveness towards it. While very revealing, the results of test such as these do have the possibility to change with the passage of time and subsequent growth of the individual. Today, I have completed some such evaluations and found that my current self-image of my imaginative analytical nature seems to be continuously confirmed.