Consciousness and Altered State of Consciousness
Consciousness and Altered State of Consciousness Quiz Crafted By-
Vanshika Sharma
Team Member
Sherlock Institute of Forensic Science India Pvt. Ltd, New Delhi
Introduction to Consciousness and Altered State of Consciousness
An altered state of consciousness is a change in one's normal mental state as a result of trauma or accident or induced through meditation, drugs, some foods, etc. The person is not unconscious. There are also many common experiences that create altered states of consciousness (ASC), such as sleeping or daydreaming, sleep deprivation, euphoria or panic. Dream state, hypnosis, and meditation are also considered as ASC. ASC is a relative state of mental functioning. The mind is still wandering (such as in a dream) or concentrated and focused as in meditation. A thoughtless stillness could be experienced from time to time that could take us beyond ASC. Thus, ASC is a state wherein citta is still active; beyond this active citta is manas and buddhi, the last being in close proximity to purusha.
Let's look at the questions and their answer.
Ques 1. Johannes is sitting in class, trying to listen to what the teacher is saying but he is also aware that he is feeling warm in the sunshine, he is looking forward to a game of tennis after school. Johannes is most likely experiencing:
a) normal waking consciousness
b) an altered state of consciousness showing reduced awareness
c) an altered state of consciousness showing heightened awareness
d) distortions of cognition and perception.
Answer- c) An altered state of consciousness showing heightened awareness
Ques 2. Ravi is experiencing an altered state of consciousness. He does not notice that the temperature has dipped to below 4 °C. Which of the following explains his experience according to the characteristics of an altered state?
a) Ravi’s self-control is reduced.
b) Ravi’s controlled processes require increased attention.
c) Ravi’s perception of the passage of time is distorted.
d) Ravi’s perceptions are distorted.
Answer- c) Ravi’s perception of the passage of time is distorted.
Ques 3. Which of the following is likely to be true for a person in an altered state of consciousness?
a) The person may find it easy to judge the passage of time.
b) The person may have more control over emotions.
c) The person may be more open to suggestion.
d) The person may find that their powers of thought and reasoning are enhanced.
Answer- c) The person may be more open to suggestion.
Ques 4. Which of the following is unlikely to be true for a person in an (heightened awareness) altered state of consciousness?
a) The person may find it difficult to judge the passage of time with accuracy.
b) The person may be more sensitive to noise than in normal waking consciousness.
c) The person may be more (or less) emotional than they are when in normal waking consciousness.
d) The person may find that they are paying selective attention to several automatic processes.
Answer- a) The person may find it difficult to judge the passage of time with accuracy.
Ques 5. Which of the following scenarios displays the highest level of awareness?
a) Emma is bored in class and puts her head down on the desk to fall asleep.
b) Justin is watching his favorite show on TV while eating chips.
c) Cadence is about to jump out of a plane to go tandem skydiving.
d) Will is reading a book while he is on the train.
Answer- c) Cadence is about to jump out of a plane to go tandem skydiving.
Ques 6. Sacha is sitting in class one afternoon after having an iced coffee at lunchtime. She hears what the teacher is saying, and is very interested as she takes notes rapidly. Sacha can be described as being in:
a) an altered state of consciousness of heightened awareness
b) an altered state of consciousness of reduced awareness
c) a state of normal waking consciousness
d) a state of heightened waking consciousness.
Answer- c) A state of normal waking consciousness.
Ques 7. Which of the following is a true statement?
a) Controlled processes require no attention.
b) Automatic processes require little attention.
c) Controlled processes require little attention.
d) Both controlled and automatic processes require full attention.
Answer- b) Automatic processes require little attention.
Ques 8. When Erwin was first learning to play the guitar, he found it impossible to change chords and sing at the same time. Now that he has been in a rock band for two years. The explanation for this is:
a) an automatic process has become a controlled process, requiring little attention
b) a controlled process has become an automatic process, requiring full attention
c) an automatic process has become a controlled process, requiring full attention
d) a controlled process has become an automatic process, requiring little attention.
Answer- d) A controlled process has become an automatic process, requiring little attention.
Ques 9. Victor is a driver for several years; Hugo has just passed driving test. A Passenger in their cars finds sensible conversation with Victor but not with Hugo. Which is the most likely explanation for this?
a) For Victor, driving is a controlled process enabling divided attention.
b) For Victor, driving is a controlled process requiring selective attention.
c) For Hugo, driving is a controlled process enabling divided attention.
d) For Hugo, driving is a controlled process requiring selective attention.
Answer- d) For Hugo, driving is a controlled process requiring selective attention.
Ques 10. Tia is taking her first driving lesson in a manual car. Which of the following is not likely to be true?
a) Tia finds it difficult to judge the passage of time.
b) Tia finds it difficult to hold a sensible conversation with the instructor.
c) At the end of the lesson, Tia finds it difficult to remember features of the buildings they have passed.
d) At the end of the lesson, Tia can recall all the features of the route they have taken.
Answer- a) Tia finds it difficult to judge the passage of time.