Psychology, Consciousness and ASCs

This review identifies three persistent problems in consciousness studies within traditional psychology: the absence of a consensus definition of consciousness, the 'hard problem' of linking neural activity to subjective experience, and a lack of systematic research into altered states of consciousness (ASCs). The author discusses physicalist approaches, cognitive models, and phenomenal accounts of consciousness, and examines some developments in neuroscience. The paper argues that traditional psychology has not adequately addressed these foundational issues, particularly the study of ASCs, which is the author's own research focus.

Study at a glance

Abstract

AbstractThis is a brief review of consciousness studies in ‘traditional psychology’. My discussion focuses on three specific problems in consciousness studies: first, a lack of agreement on a definition of consciousness; second, the so-called ‘hard problem’ of trying to connect neurological patterning in the brain with lived experience; third, in relation to my own research focus, traditional psychology lacks a robust systematic study of ASCs. I discuss some approaches to the study of consciousness, including Physicalism, cognitive models and consciousness as phenomenal. I also look at some developments in neuroscience.