Accordingly, in this chapter, we consider the effects on human performance of a number of conditions that are conventionally defined as altered states of consciousness. But it is also not clear that the relationship between mind and brain is such that it will ever be possible to specify unique psychophysiological correlates of different states of consciousness. In some instances, this lack of clear specification reflects the state of current technology and incomplete knowledge from available experimental work. However, such clear specification of the four features does not characterize most altered states of consciousness. For example, dreaming sleep is induced by going to bed, closing one's eyes, and counting sheep by subjective reports of a lapse in consciousness or dreaming by observable behaviors such as closed eyes, prone position, and slow breathing and by high-frequency, low-amplitude, desynchronized brain waves accompanied by rapid, synchronous eye movements. Of consciousness would be associated with a unique combination of these four attributes. In this respect, altered states of consciousness are relevant to enhancing human performance.Īn altered state of consciousness can be defined by four features (Kihlstrom, 1984): (1) operationally, as the product of a particular induction technique (2) phenomenologically, as an individual's subjective report of altered awareness or voluntary control (3) observationally, as changes in overt behavior corresponding to a person's self-report and (4) physiologically, as a particular pattern of changes in somatic functioning. Yet, in contrast, an individual in an altered state of consciousness may be more aware of events than usual or otherwise able to transcend the limits of normal voluntary control. For example, a person may be unaware of current or past events that nonetheless are affecting his or her experience, thought, and action or a person may represent objects and events in a manner that is radically discordant with objective reality or a person may be unable to exert ordinary levels of voluntary control over attention and behavior. People experience themselves as deliberately focusing attention on one object or idea rather than another and choosing among them to respond to environmental demands or to achieve personal goalsgoals of which they are aware.Ī person is in an altered state of consciousness to the extent that these monitoring and controlling functions have been modified or distorted (Farthing, 1992 Kihlstrom, 1984).

Consciousness can also be characterized as the experience of voluntariness. Conscious people experience concurrent, retrospective, or prospective awareness of events in their environmentan awareness that exists even in the absence of their ability to report it to others. The re-mastered-for-vinyl Grammy nominated score has been pressed to 180 Gram Purple and Violet “Hallucination” Swirl vinyl and sounds incredible.Consciousness can be characterized as a state of mental alertness and awareness.

The album artwork is created by Australian artist duo, We Buy Your Kids, and the heavyweight old-style gatefold jacket features a deluxe Glitter Coating.Įxclusive liner notes have been provided by composer John Corigliano and are featured on a 12”x12” insert with artwork by We Buy Your Kids. The audio has been sourced from the original masters, and this new LP re-issue has been officially and enthusiastically approved by the composer. Waxwork’s new release is a deluxe re-issue of the now classic 1980 score by Pulitzer Prize winning, Oscar winning, and five time Grammy winning composer, John Corigliano. The film is also the film debut of actors William Hurt and Drew Barrymore. Directed by Ken Russel, the film focuses on Professor Edward Jessup's (William Hurt) research conducted in isolation tanks under the influence of psychoactive drugs like mescaline, ketamine, and LSD. Waxwork Records is thrilled to release the deluxe LP re-issue of ALTERED STATES.

Altered states