King’s University College at The University of Western Ontario

Psychology 3177F: Consciousness

Professor Barušs                 Homework Assignments (Second Set)                     2011-12

The following schedule includes readings and homework questions. The questions are to be answered in essay style for the dates given. Homework will be collected at the beginning of the class for which it is due. Answers must be based on information from the readings, your knowledge of psychology, and, if appropriate, your personal experiences, and must be comprehensive in nature. Please note that it is imperative that you use quotation marks and the proper format for citation if you do quote from these or any other sources. The grade for homework will be determined by taking the average of the 8 best marks. The homework marks constitute 40% of the final grade in the course.

October 26

Topics: Consciousness Studies; Studying Altered States; Mediumship

Holvenstot, C. (2011). Toward a Science of Consciousness 2011: The greatest show on earth. Journal of Consciousness Exploration and Research, 2(4), 656–665.

Tart, C. T. (2000). Investigating altered states on their own terms: State-specific sciences. In M. Velmans (Ed.), Investigating phenomenal consciousness: New methodologies and maps (pp. 255–278). Amsterdam, The Netherlands: John Benjamins.

Tart, C. T. (2009), The End of Materialism: How evidence of the paranormal is bringing science and spirit together (Oakland, California: New Harbinger).

Question 5: Explain how some scientists might discount the anomalous occurrence of correct information in cases of mediumship such as those discussed by Charles Tart. How could such avoidance of acceptance be changed?

November 2

Guest Lecture: Mediumship

Puthoff, H. E. (1996). CIA-initiated remote viewing program at Stanford Research Institute. Journal of Scientific Exploration, 10(1), 63–76.

Dossey, L. (2009). The power of premonitions: How knowing the future can shape our lives. New York: Dutton.

Question 6: What are some of the contributing factors to successful anomalous information transfer?

November 9

Topics: Mind/body Connection; Eastern Approaches

Langer, E. (2009). Counter clockwise: Mindful health and the power of possibility. New York: Ballentine.

Shear, J. (2007). Eastern methods for investigating mind and consciousness. In M. Velmans & S. Schneider (Eds.), The Blackwell companion to consciousness (pp. 697–710). Malden, MA: Blackwell.

Question 7: What does the occurrence of pure consciousness tell us about the nature of consciousness and reality?

 

 

November 16

Topics: Quantum Mind

Barušs, I. (2008). Quantum mind: Conscious intention in the context of quantum mechanics. Dydaktyka Literatury, 28, 31–40.

Schwartz, J. M. (2005). Mental health, spiritual information, and the power of the mind to shape the brain. In C. L. Harper Jr. (Ed.), Spiritual information: 100 perspectives on science and religion (pp. 389–394). Philadelphia: Templeton Foundation Press.

Question 8: How could conscious intention change physical manifestation?

November 23

Topics: Presentience; Psychokinesis

Bem, D. J. (2011). Feeling the future: Experimental evidence for anomalous retroactive influences on cognition and affect. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 100, 407-425.

Mishlove, J. (2000). The PK man: A true story of mind over matter. Charlottesville, Virginia: Hampton Roads.

Question 9: What does the apparent occurrence of retrocausation tell us about the nature of time, consciousness, and reality?

November 30

Topics: Self-transformation; Spiritual Emergency

Ferrucci, P. (1982). What we may be: Techniques for psychological and spiritual growth through psychosynthesis. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher. (Chapters 8 & 9 about attention and meditation)

Lukoff, D., & Everest, H. C. (1985). The myths in mental illness. Journal of Transpersonal Psychology, 17(2), 123–153.

Question 10: Explain how various self-transformation techniques can be used to counteract the pathological elements of spiritual awakening.

December 7

Topics: Review

Barušs, I. (1987). Metanalysis of definitions of consciousness. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 6(4), 321-329.

Barušs, I. (2000). Psychopathology of altered states of consciousness. Journal of Baltic Psychology, 1(1), 12 26.

Question 11: Trace the development of your own understanding of the subject matter of this course — in the context of the readings, lectures, and class discussions — from the beginning of the course to the present. In your answer you must specify the substance of your understanding.

December 10–21

Final Examination