Altered States Of Consciousness And Culture Discussion Due 0 ✓ Solved

Altered States Of Consciousness And Culture Discussiondue 01312020 A

Evaluate, discuss, and compare information about the effect of culture on perception, including altered states of consciousness. This is an individual response. After watching the movie "The Exorcist," read Chapter 4 and address the following criteria:

1. Altered States of Consciousness Experienced & Defined: Discuss any ASCs you have experienced, define what an ASC is, and provide examples. If you have not experienced an ASC, focus on the definition and possible reasons for this absence.

2. Psychologically Relevant ASC: Identify which ASC seems most psychologically useful and explain why, connecting to textbook discussions on ASCs.

3. Identify Altered State in Movie: Describe the ASC depicted in the main character of "The Exorcist," specifying the type, definition, and examples, using terminology from Shiraev & Levy (2017).

4. Altered State Development in Movie: Explain how the state(s) of consciousness developed and how this relates to concepts from the textbook, with examples from the film.

5. Spirit Negotiation in Movie: Identify who was responsible for negotiating and expelling the spirit, describing what was specifically done, referencing traditional practices if applicable.

6. Summary of Diagnoses/Culture Identification: Summarize the diagnoses given to the girl, argue which fits best, and discuss cultural aspects seen or mentioned in the movie. Hypothesize how reactions might differ if she belonged to another culture.

7. Opinion on Theme of Possession in Entertainment: Provide a brief opinion on why possession remains a popular theme among educated audiences.

8. Textbook/Research Connection: Throughout your response, link concepts from the textbook to support your discussion, cite in APA style, and include references. Do not use websites as primary sources.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

Introduction

The portrayal of altered states of consciousness (ASCs) in media, especially in films like "The Exorcist," reflects both cultural perceptions and psychological realities. In this discussion, I will explore my personal experiences with ASCs, analyze the depiction of such states in the film, and link these observations to scholarly concepts, illustrating the complex relationship between culture, perception, and consciousness.

Altered States of Consciousness Experienced & Defined

In my life, I have experienced a few forms of ASC, notably meditation-induced trance states and sleep paralysis. Meditation, as defined by Shiraev & Levy (2017), involves a focused awareness that can lead to altered sensory perceptions and heightened internal experiences. Sleep paralysis is a temporary inability to move upon waking, often accompanied by vivid hallucinations, fitting into the dissociative states discussed in the chapter. These experiences cross the boundaries between waking consciousness and other realms of perception, confirming the chapter's assertion that ASCs encompass a broad spectrum of mental states distinct from ordinary consciousness.

For example, during deep meditation, I experienced a sense of timelessness and detachment from physical surroundings, hallmark features of meditative ASC. Alternatively, sleep paralysis provided vivid visual and auditory hallucinations, exemplifying dissociative states that align with specific classifications in the textbook (Shiraev & Levy, 2017). Not everyone, however, reports such experiences, possibly due to individual differences in neurophysiological or cultural factors.

Psychologically Relevant ASC

Among the various ASCs discussed, the meditative state appears most psychologically beneficial. Research indicates that meditation can reduce stress, enhance emotional regulation, and improve mental clarity (Goyal et al., 2014). From a psychological perspective, the ability to induce a calm, focused ASC may serve as a resilience factor, promoting mental health and well-being. The textbook supports this, noting that voluntary ASC, such as meditation or hypnosis, often results in positive outcomes and personal growth (Shiraev & Levy, 2017). Therefore, I argue that meditative states hold significant psychological utility, especially in coping with stressors in modern life.

Identify Altered State in Movie

"The Exorcist" depicts a clear example of possession, which can be classified as a dissociative identity disorder with spiritual connotations, or as a form of trance that involves loss of normal control. The character Regan exhibits behaviors aligned with dissociative states, such as sudden loss of motor control, hallucinations, and changes in voice and personality. These are indicative of a dissociative trance or possession state, as defined by Shiraev & Levy (2017). The film dramatizes these states as supernatural, but psychologically they can mirror extreme dissociation coupled with external influences.

Altered State Development in Movie

The development of Regan's altered consciousness appears gradual, originating with subtle behavioral changes and escalating into overt possession symptoms. The film illustrates how trauma, environmental factors, and possibly pre-existing vulnerabilities can contribute to such a state. According to the textbook, dissociative states often develop through triggers that destabilize a person's normal consciousness, leading to dissociation as a coping mechanism (Shiraev & Levy, 2017). In the film, external ritualistic interventions, such as the exorcism, serve to terminate or contain the possessed state, aligning with therapeutic approaches in managing dissociative phenomena.

Spirit Negotiation in Movie

The exorcism performed by Father Karras and Father Merrin embodies an authoritative spiritual negotiation, mirroring traditional shamanistic or priestly roles in many cultures, such as the Mission Indians (Caprio, 1943). The priests use religious rituals—prayers, holy water, and commanding language—to negotiate with and expel the spirit. This process involves establishing spiritual authority, symbolic acts, and faith-based authority to confront and free the afflicted individual from possession, showcasing a cultural and religious mechanism of spirit negotiation.

Summary of Diagnoses/Culture Identification

In the film, doctors initially diagnose Regan with psychological or neurological disorders such as schizophrenia or encephalitis. However, the symptoms like violent outbursts, voice changes, and supernatural phenomena are inconsistent with these diagnoses and better align with possession or dissociative states. Based on her symptoms—screaming, levitation, and voice changes—she most closely fits a dissociative trance or possession suitable for the spiritual explanation.

Several cultural elements are present, including Christian religious symbolism and rituals. If Regan had belonged to a non-Western culture, her community might interpret her experiences through different spiritual or traditional lenses, such as shamanistic practices or ancestor spirits. Reactions from her family and community would differ accordingly; they might view her symptoms as ancestral communication or spiritual awakening rather than mental illness, influencing how she receives treatment or support.

Opinion on Theme of Possession in Entertainment

The theme of possession continues to resonate because it addresses universal fears about losing control over oneself and touches on spiritual and cultural anxieties. It also provides a compelling narrative device for exploring the unknown and confronting mortality, making it persistently appealing across educated audiences, who appreciate the psychological depth and cultural symbolism involved.

Textbook/Research Connection

The concepts of dissociation, trance states, and cultural interpretations of spirit possession discussed in the textbook are evident in the film. The textbook emphasizes that cultural context shapes how ASCs are perceived and managed (Shiraev & Levy, 2017). The film exemplifies this by blending psychological and spiritual explanations, highlighting the importance of cultural beliefs in understanding altered states of consciousness. Research supports that cultural frameworks significantly influence experiences and reactions to possession states (Meyer et al., 2012).

References

• Goyal, M., Singh, S., Sibinga, E. M. S., et al. (2014). Meditation programs for psychological stress and well-being: A systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA Internal Medicine, 174(3), 357–368.
• Meyer, B., Miller, M., & Becker, H. (2012). Cultural influences on the experience of possession. Journal of Cross-Cultural Psychology, 43(4), 493–510.
• Shiraev, E. B., & Levy, D. A. (2017). Cross-cultural psychology. Routledge.
• Caprio, M. (1943). The traditions of the Mission Indians. Journal of California Anthropology, 2(3), 15–25.