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Mind-altering plants and/or excessive dancing were used to attain an ecstatic or mystic state. History History of utilization of ASCs Īltered states of consciousness might have been employed by humans as early as 30,000 years ago. the individual ratings, or factor scores, of a questionnaire. The 'phenomenological pattern' results from the factor structure of the applied psychometric assessment, i.e. For empirical research, such patterns correspond to a multivariate combination of independent 'consciousness factors', which can be quantified via questionnaires. Such 'patterns' have also been referred to as relative changes in the '(basic) dimensions of consciousness'. Thereby, the relative intensity of multiple consciousness aspects constitutes a 'phenomenological pattern' characterizing a particular state. Instead, it is a multidimensional phenomenon. Importantly, it has been emphasized that an ASC is not a mere quantitative change in a single cognitive function (e.g. The comparison with a 'normal' baseline requires that the ASC under investigation is of relatively short duration (minutes to hours), which differentiates ASCs from most pathological conditions.
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From an experimental perspective, it is also reasonable to compare ASC conditions to a baseline state – a state subjectively judged as average, or normal. This variability of experience is considered as normal fluctuation, while any state that is experienced to diverge significantly from it can be called an ASC. Īs a working definition for neuroscientific research, it might suffice to presume that most people have a strong intuition concerning which variability in their everyday wakeful state feels normal to them.
Ī recent working definition for empirical research is based on these previous definitions and provided by Schmidt. To account for an ASC, multiple dimensions need to be altered. He lists fourteen dimensions of changed subjective experience. "An altered state of consciousness (ASC) may be defined as a temporary change in the overall pattern of subjective experience, such that the individual believes that his or her mental functioning is distinctly different from certain general norms for his or her normal waking state of consciousness". His definition relies only on subjective experience, leaving aside behavioral changes and physiological response. In order to define an ASC, Tart focuses on the importance of subjective experience.įarthing adds to his definition that an ASC is short-termed or at least reversible and that it might not even be recognized as an ASC at that moment. Charles Tart described an altered state of consciousness as a profound change in the "overall pattern of subjective experiences". "Altered states of consciousness are alternate patterns or configurations of experience, which differ qualitatively from a baseline state." įarthing's definition of an altered state of consciousness (ASC) is based on Charles Tart's terminology. Starting from this Charles Tart focuses his definition on the subjective experience of a state of consciousness and its deviation from a normal waking state. "An altered state is any mental state(s), induced by various physiological, psychological, or pharmacological maneuvers or agents, which can be recognized subjectively by the individual himself (or by an objective observer of the individual) as representing a sufficient deviation in subjective experience of psychological functioning from certain general norms for that individual during alert, waking consciousness." Ludwig attempted a first definition in 1966. In the following, the best established and latest definitions are provided:Īrnold M. There is no final consensus what the most accurate definition for what purpose is. Attempts to define the term can however be found in Philosophy, Psychology and Neuroscience. There is no general definition of an altered state of consciousness, as any definitional attempt would firstly have to rely on a definition of a normal state of consciousness. 5 Neurobiological models of altered state experiences.2.2 History of the science and theoretical-modelling.Threads of minuscule lies weave through hollowed hearts until collapse. However, the coveted position had been stolen a week before his arrival by an intriguing witch.Īs manipulative schemes emerge, tension builds into a ruinous obsession. Under the guise of interviewing for the DADA teaching post, he went to Hogwarts to conceal one of his Horcruxes, Ravenclaw’s Diadem. Tom Riddle returned to British wizarding society in 1966 after a decade-long absence.