States Of Consciousness

All of an individual’s life takes place in varying sates of consciousness. Ranging from total awareness to complete lack of awareness. These states exist on a continuum and as such there is no exact position for each state. Usually these states are separated into two groups: normal waking consciousness (NWC) and altered states of consciousness (ASC). NWC usually consists of any state, in which you are awake and aware of your thoughts, feelings and external stimuli. ASC is any state, which is not classified under NWC and can consist of drug induced states, sleep, daydreaming and any other sate which is less alert and aware than NWC. As it is a continuum there is no clear distinction as to when someone goes from NWC to an ASC.

There are certain psychological characteristics which differ between a NWC and ASC. The psychological differences between NWC and ASC usually come under: Awareness, Attention, Memory,

Heart rate can act as an indictor of a change in the state of consciousness. In some ASC heart rate increases from NWC and in others it decreases. Another marker that can be used is internal body temperature and in certain ASC is can increase or decrease from the usual standard, such as in sleep in which body temperature can decrease by a whole degree. Another method for determining state of consciousness is through the type of bran waves which are detected. There are four types of brain waves (alpha, beta, theta and delta) and the type which is present can help determine the state of consciousness. Alpha and beta are usually seen in NWC, while theta and delta are usually present in some ASC, usually in sleep. Finally another measure is the Galvanic skin response (GSR), which can be an indicator of an ASC when there is a change in emotional