1. Lesson 2 - Normal Waking Consciousness
Monday, 7 January 2013
2. Todays lesson
Explain the concept of normal waking consciousness in
terms of the following:
• levels of awareness
• content limitations
• controlled and automatic processes
• perceptual and cognitive distortions
•emotional awareness
• self-control
• time orientation
Monday, 7 January 2013
3. Characteristics of Normal Waking Consciousness
Although the content of each person’s consciousness is unique there are
characteristics that differentiate the different states of consciousness. These
include:
•Level of attention and awareness
•Content Limitations
•Emotional awareness
•Level of Control
•Experience of time
•Cognitive processes
Monday, 7 January 2013
8. Selective Attention
Level of
Consciousness
Divided Attention
Monday, 7 January 2013
9. Content Limitations
Content may be limited and restricted through
selective attention. It is generally organised and
logical.
Monday, 7 January 2013
10. Levels of awareness
Controlled processes – Information processing requiring conscious, alert awareness and mental
effort in which the person actively focuses their attention towards achieving a particular goal. An
example of this is someone learning to drive a manual car. They need to concentrate on controlling
the steering wheel, the brake, clutch and accelerator when changing gears.
Automatic processes -
requires little conscious mental
effort and awareness, minimal
attention and may not interfere
with other activities. An example
of automatic process is someone
who has been driving a manual
car for a number of years. They
are able to changes gears
automatically.
Monday, 7 January 2013
11. Time Orientation
Time is perceived as moving at a normal rate. We also
have an awareness of our place in time, and are able to
focus on the past, present and future.
Monday, 7 January 2013
12. Essential Learning Activities
Learning Activity 1:
Complete the following activity:
Characteristics of NWC.pdf
Learning Activity 2:
Watch the clip on the following link:
http://www.tac.vic.gov.au/media/upload/mobile.mpg
Using the characteristics of normal waking consciousness (in particular
attention) describe what happened in the clip.
Monday, 7 January 2013
