Psychology, Consciousness and ASCs

This is a brief review of consciousness studies in ‘traditional psychology’. My discussion focuses on three specific problems in consciousness studies: first, a lack of agreement on a definition of consciousness; second, the so-called ‘hard problem’ of trying to connect neurological patterning in the brain with lived experience; third, in relation to my own research focus, traditional psychology lacks a robust systematic study of ASCs. I discuss some approaches to the study of consciousness, including Physicalism, cognitive models and consciousness as phenomenal. I also look at some developments in neuroscience. ASC research is reviewed, including recent developments involving use of psychedelics. I also consider daydream research, and include brief notes on hypnagogia, flow and highly hypnotizable individuals which were all of interest in my ASC research. I introduce the early work of William James and his pioneering research into consciousness as well as his interest in psychical phenomena. My aim in this chapter is to present some impressive research in neuro-psychology but also to show why I chose a phenomenal approach.