An Integrated Model of the Main States of Consciousness

Abstract

This model of the main states of consciousness synthesizes interdisciplinary data. It describes and differentiates four main states of consciousness: “ordinary waking states of consciousness,” “differentiated waking states of consciousness” – including “ultraconsciousness states,” “REM sleep” and “slow-wave sleep.” Each state is described along the following dimensions: sleep – wakefulness, rhythm and rest – activity rhythm; activity of the hypnogenic and activating physiological system; brain hemispheric activity; the threshold of the extero- and interoceptive stimuli reception; perceptual dominance of stimuli from external or internal sources; activity-vividness of imagination; degree of rational feeling of experiences; changing one's experience of control over the content and form of one's own experiences; active or passive state of mind – changing dominance of either contemplation or action; feed-back relation with the surroundings. This model together with the conception of metabolism of information and the conception of protective mechanisms of metabolism of information suggest a perspective for a new description of human activity, especially of relaxation and resting activity.