STATE OF CONCIOUSNESS: ASSIGNMENT (20 points)
Instructions: Answer the following question(s) thoroughly in paragraph/essay format.
1. Describe the changes/stages the human body undergoes as it shifts from deep sleep to REM sleep. What problems can occur if individuals don’t receive sleep?
2. Describe in detail the process of hypnosis. Is hypnosis effective? What are the pros and cons?
3. Freud believed that dreams provide important insight into the unconscious mind. He maintained that a dream’s manifest content could provide clues into an individual’s unconscious. What potential criticisms exist for this particular perspective?
4. Healthcare professionals often work rotating shifts. Why is this problematic? What can be done to deal with potential problems?
5. If theories that assert sleep is necessary for restoration and recovery from daily energetic demands are correct, what do you predict about the relationship that would exist between individuals’ total sleep duration and their level of activity?
6. How could researchers determine if given areas of the brain are involved in the regulation of sleep?
7. What types of studies would be most convincing regarding the effectiveness of meditation in the treatment for some type of physical or mental disorder?
8. What advantages exist for researching the potential health benefits of hypnosis?
