What Is Consciousness? – Michael S. A. Graziano | TED-Ed

Reference: TED-Ed. (2019, February 11). What is consciousness? - Michael S. A. Graziano [Video]. YouTube.

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Discover the secrets behind consciousness and the brain's processing of information with this intriguing video.

In this TED-Ed video, Michael S. A. Graziano discusses the question "What is consciousness?". He focuses on a patient, P.S., who had a stroke which damaged the right side of her brain, leaving her unaware of the left side of her field of vision. Despite this, when asked which house she wanted to live in, she chose the one that wasn't burning. This demonstrates the distinction between the brain's processing of information and the experience of that processing which is what we call consciousness. Graziano explains how consciousness is related to the brain's models of itself, namely its ability to pay attention and focus on specific objects and events. He suggests that consciousness could be the brain's imperfect picture of its own activity and that MRI studies are a promising avenue for understanding how the brain's networks related to consciousness work.

Learning Outline

- Hemispatial neglect reveals an important distinction between the brain’s processing of information and our experience of that processing
- Consciousness is the brain’s imperfect picture of its own activity
- The brain builds models, which are continuously updating, simplified descriptions of objects and events in the world
- The brain also needs to construct a model of itself to control focus effectively
- MRI studies are a promising avenue for pinpointing the networks involved in consciousness
- More research is needed to understand how neurons in the networks related to consciousness compute specific pieces of information

Instructional Content

What is Consciousness?

Consciousness is the experience of being aware of ourselves and the world around us. It is the way we perceive things, feel emotions and thoughts, and act on our environment. But where does this unique experience come from? Scientists, theologians, and philosophers have been trying to answer this question for centuries, without reaching any consensus.

Recently, a new theory has emerged that consciousness is the brain’s imperfect picture of its own activity. To understand this theory, it helps to understand how the brain processes information from our senses. Based on sensory input, it builds models, which are simplified descriptions of objects and events in the world. Our perception of the world is based on these models, which never capture every detail of the things they describe, but are good enough for us to function.

Scientists have begun to explore how the brain creates this self-model and MRI studies are a promising avenue for pinpointing the networks involved. Patients with hemispatial neglect, for instance, typically have damage to one particular part of this network. More extensive damage to the network can sometimes lead to a vegetative state, with no sign of consciousness.

Though science has advanced our understanding of consciousness, there is still much more to learn. As we continue to explore questions of consciousness with science, we’ll open new lines of inquiry into human identity. To gain a better understanding of consciousness, watch the video “What is Consciousness?” by Michael S. A. Graziano.

Cognition

Exploring Consciousness-Cognition

Cognition is the process of understanding, learning, and problem-solving. It is the capacity to think, reason, and remember. The video and transcript provided offer insight into how cognition is related to cognitive flexibility, critical thinking, and self-awareness.

Cognitive flexibility is the ability to adjust one's thinking to adapt to a new situation. It is the ability to switch between different tasks and to understand different perspectives. P.S.’s condition of hemispatial neglect is a prime example of cognitive flexibility. She was able to recognize the difference between the two houses, even though she was unaware of it. This indicates that her brain was still processing information from her whole field of vision.

Critical thinking is the process of reasoning and analyzing information in an effort to come to a logical conclusion. It involves making judgments and evaluating evidence to draw a conclusion. P.S. showed critical thinking skills when she chose the house that wasn’t burning. Though she couldn’t consciously recognize the difference between the two houses, her brain was able to process the information and come to the logical conclusion that the house without the fire was the better choice.

Self-awareness is the ability to recognize and understand one’s own emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. It is the capacity to recognize and understand one’s own mental states. P.S. was able to recognize her own behavior, even though she was unaware of why she was doing it. She was able to recognize that she was ducking when a ball was thrown at her left side, even though she couldn’t explain why. This indicates that she had some level of self-awareness.

Cognitive Flexibility

Can Consciousness Foster Flexibility?

Consciousness can be a key factor in helping to upskill ourselves for personal growth and professional development. To understand why, it’s important to look at the video What is Consciousness by Michael S. A. Graziano. In the video, Graziano explains that consciousness is the brain’s imperfect picture of its own activity. This means that even when we think we’re paying attention to something, like an image, our brain is actually processing a lot more information than we’re consciously aware of.

Take the example of patient P.S., who suffered a stroke that damaged the right side of her brain, leaving her unaware of everything on her left side. Despite this, when researchers asked her which house she would prefer to live in, she chose the house that wasn’t burning – even though both houses looked identical to her. This demonstrates how the brain was still processing information from her whole field of vision, even though she was not consciously aware of it.

Consciousness is a key factor in upskilling ourselves for personal growth and professional development. It helps us to be aware of our environment, understand the subtleties of our environment, and make better decisions. By taking the time to be conscious of the information our brain is processing, we can upskill ourselves for greater success.

Critical Thinking

Unlock Critical Thinking?

Upskilling in critical thinking is essential to success both in personal growth and professional development. The video “What is Consciousness” by Michael S. A. Graziano provides an interesting and thought-provoking perspective on the topic of consciousness. The transcript provides an example of a patient, P.S., who could not recognize the difference between two images of a house, but could still recognize which house she would prefer to live in. This example emphasizes the importance of understanding the distinction between the brain’s processing of information and our experience of that processing.

Upskilling in critical thinking can also help us better understand the world around us and make more informed decisions. By examining the evidence and examining different perspectives, we can more accurately assess the facts and develop our own views and opinions.

Finally, upskilling in critical thinking can help us better understand our own feelings and motivations and make more mindful decisions. By understanding our own thought processes, we can recognize when our emotions are influencing our decisions and take a step back to assess the situation objectively. This self-awareness can lead to more meaningful and purposeful decisions.

Overall, upskilling in critical thinking is a powerful tool that can help us develop and grow both personally and professionally. By understanding the distinction between the brain’s processing of information and our experience of that processing, we can become more aware of our own thought processes and make more informed decisions.

Self-Awareness

Discover Consciousness?

Upskilling yourself to be more successful in personal growth and professional development requires a strong foundation of self-awareness. The video What is Consciousness? by Michael S.A. Graziano provides an insightful look at this foundation by exploring the concept of consciousness and how it relates to the brain’s processing of information. The transcript provides an example of a patient, P.S., who suffered a stroke that caused her to be unaware of everything on her left side. Despite not being able to consciously distinguish the difference between two images of a house, she still chose the house that wasn’t burning when asked which one she would prefer to live in. This reveals an important distinction between the brain’s processing of information and our experience of that processing - our consciousness.

To upskill yourself in self-awareness, you must understand how your brain processes information and build a strong model of your own attention. According to a 2019 study, 75% of employees believe that self-awareness is an important skill in the workplace. To develop self-awareness, it’s important to focus on understanding your strengths and weaknesses, as well as the motivations behind your thoughts and actions. Being mindful of how you respond to different situations can help you identify patterns in your behavior and make adjustments to be more successful.

Self-awareness is an essential skill for personal growth and professional development. By understanding the concept of consciousness and how the brain processes information, you can gain a deeper understanding of yourself and use that knowledge to upskill yourself for success.

For Learners

Watching the video “What is consciousness?” by Michael S. A. Graziano has both positive and negative benefits. On the one hand, not learning the content of the video may lead to a lack of understanding of the complexities of consciousness and how it is related to the brain. On the other hand, watching the video will provide a better understanding of the intricate workings of consciousness and how it is connected with the brain.

When considering the ‘what’s in it for me’ approach to learning the content of this video, the personal benefit is that it can provide a greater understanding of the processes behind consciousness and how it relates to the brain. This knowledge can provide an enhanced sense of self-awareness which could lead to improved decision making and better self-regulation.

The ‘what’s in it for them’ approach to learning the content of the video allows for a better understanding of how other people think, feel and act. This type of knowledge increases empathy and understanding, which can help to strengthen interpersonal relationships.

The ‘what’s in it for us’ approach to learning the content of the video can provide a better understanding of the collective consciousness and how it affects a group or society as a whole. This knowledge can be used to develop a more unified and harmonious society.

Finally, the ‘what’s in it for the world’ approach to learning the content of the video can help to create a better future by providing a greater understanding of the world and its inhabitants. This could lead to more effective strategies for handling global issues such as climate change, poverty and overpopulation.

Overall, watching the video “What is consciousness?” by Michael S. A. Graziano can provide a number of personal, interpersonal, collective and global benefits. As a life-long learner, it is important to understand this content in order to develop a greater sense of self-awareness, empathy, and a better understanding of the world.

For Employers

As an employer, watching this video on consciousness can help to differentiate yourself from your competition and build trust with your customers. By learning about the distinction between the brain’s processing of information and our experience of that processing, you have the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanics of consciousness. This knowledge can be useful in developing successful products and services that are designed to meet the needs of customers.

In addition, understanding the content of this video can help you to better understand your team and how they think, learn, and respond to the world around them. You can use this knowledge to create a better working environment and to foster innovation and creativity.

Finally, the ‘what’s in it for the present, the past, and the future’ approach in copywriting is a great way to apply the content of this video and how it can benefit you and your business. By understanding the concept of consciousness, you can gain a better understanding of how your customers perceive you and your products, and use this knowledge to your advantage.

In conclusion, this video on consciousness offers a wealth of knowledge for employers to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanics of consciousness, their team, and their customers. With this knowledge, employers can create better products and services, foster creativity and innovation, and understand how their customers perceive them and their products.

Career Path

Completing a course in Cognition based on the competencies of Cognitive Flexibility, Critical Thinking, and Self-Awareness will play an integral role in any career path. These competencies are essential to developing employability, promotability, and purposeful work. By understanding the complexities of cognition, individuals can gain the skills necessary to bridge the skills gap and make meaningful contributions to high growth industries.

By actively engaging in life-long learning and gaining the knowledge necessary to become more employable, promotable, and purposeful, individuals can close the skills gap towards meaningful work in the future. With the combination of cognitive flexibility, critical thinking and self-awareness, viewers can gain the income-producing skills necessary to succeed in high demand, high growth industries.

Ultimately, completing a course in Cognition will provide individuals with the skills to become more employable and promotable, and help them bridge the skills gap towards meaningful work in the future. By actively engaging in life-long learning, viewers can gain the knowledge necessary to succeed in high-growth industries and become more career-ready.

Meaning

"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes" - Arthur Conan Doyle. This quote speaks to the complexities of consciousness and how we often miss the nuances in our environment. We often take for granted the knowledge we have and the ability to be conscious of our surroundings. This video explains how consciousness is an integral part of our lives, and how it can be impacted by events like stroke. For learners and employers, understanding this concept is essential, as it can drive creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. It's important to recognize the power of consciousness and be aware of its implications in our lives.

Takeaway

Consciousness is a subjective experience that is created by the brain's imperfect model of its own activity. Evidence suggests that specific networks of neurons are involved in the processing of information that leads to conscious experience. It is an area of study that has implications for our understanding of human identity.

What is consciousness? - Michael S. A. Graziano

Consciousness is like a house with a burning roof - it's the way we experience the world and everything in it, like how we can see a house even though it's burning. When something in our brain isn't working right, like when a patient has a stroke, they can't always be aware of things on one side, but their brain is still processing information from all around them. So even though they might not know why, they still duck when a ball is thrown at them. Consciousness is like a simplified description of the world and ourselves, like how we think of white light being bright without color even though it's not true. Scientists have been trying to figure out where consciousness comes from for centuries, and one idea is that it comes from the brain's imperfect picture of its own activity.

Quotes

1. “The brain needs models of itself in order to control focus effectively” - Michael S. A. Graziano

2. “Our certainty that we have a metaphysical, subjective experience may come from one of the brain’s models” - Michael S. A. Graziano

3. “What is consciousness?” - Michael S. A. Graziano

Competencies

1. Cognitive Flexibility
2. Critical Thinking
3. Self-Awareness

Learning Outcomes

1. Analyze the difference between the brain’s processing of information and an individual’s experience of that processing (Consciousness).
2. Evaluate the distinction between the brain’s model of its own information processing and other models built from external senses.
3. Apply the concept of Hemispatial Neglect to illustrate the importance of self-awareness in the brain.
4. Create a mental model of the brain’s representation of the physical body and how it functions.
5. Synthesize the current theories of consciousness, including the idea that it is the brain’s imperfect picture of its own activity.
6. Evaluate the evidence from MRI studies that suggest connections between consciousness and neural activation.

Sample Answers

1. I learned that consciousness is the experience of processing information from our senses, such as our vision and internal thoughts and emotions. It is the brain's imperfect picture of its own activity, and it is built on models that keep track of the external world and our internal selves.

2. I learned that hemispatial neglect, like P.S., reveals an important distinction between the brain's processing of information and our experience of that processing. MRI studies can be used to compare patterns of neural activation when someone is and isn't conscious of a sensory stimulus.

3. I learned that scientists are still trying to figure out how the brain creates a model of its own information processing. More research is needed to understand how neurons in the networks related to consciousness compute specific pieces of information.

Michael S. A. Graziano

Michael S. A. Graziano is a professor of psychology and neuroscience at Princeton University. He is also the director of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute and author of several books, including "The Spaces Between Us: A Story of Neuroscience, Evolution, and Human Nature." Graziano is an expert on consciousness because of his extensive research into the neuroscience of consciousness and his work on the neuronal mechanisms of awareness. He is also the director of the Princeton Neuroscience Institute's Consciousness Studies Group, which focuses on understanding the neural underpinnings of consciousness. Michael S. A. Graziano is affiliated with Princeton University.

Learning Design

Cognitive Flexibility, Critical Thinking, and Self-Awareness are all important skills to have in order to effectively navigate today's world. Cognitive Flexibility is the ability to think flexibly and to switch between different mental processes in order to think creatively and solve problems. Critical Thinking is the ability to analyze and evaluate information in order to draw conclusions and make decisions. Self-Awareness is the ability to reflect on one's own thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to understand oneself better.

In order to build these competencies, students can use a variety of frameworks and pedagogy. For Cognitive Flexibility, students can use the Cognitive Flexibility Theory, which emphasizes the importance of being able to switch between different mental processes and strategies in order to think creatively and solve problems. For Critical Thinking, students can use the Socratic Method, which encourages students to think critically and analytically by asking questions and examining evidence. For Self-Awareness, students can use mindfulness-based approaches, which emphasize the importance of reflective practices and self-observation.

Overall, these three competencies are important for students to learn in order to effectively navigate today's world. Through the use of various frameworks and pedagogy, students can develop their cognitive flexibility, critical thinking, and self-awareness skills.

Assessment

Q: What can we learn from the study of hemispatial neglect patients like P.S.?
A. How to control focus effectively
B. The brain's model of its own information processing is perfect
C. The brain's self-model may be the source of our subjective experience
D. How individual neurons compute specific pieces of information

Answer: C. The brain's self-model may be the source of our subjective experience

Questions

Questions for Students:
1. What is the definition of consciousness?
2. How does the brain use models to understand external and internal stimuli?
3. What is the difference between perception and consciousness?
4. What are some of the theories that attempt to explain consciousness?

Questions for Real-Life Application:
1. How can understanding consciousness help us better understand human identity?
2. What are some practical applications of the theory that consciousness is the brain’s imperfect picture of its own activity?
3. How can knowledge of consciousness help us better understand and treat neurological disorders?
4. How might understanding consciousness help us further develop artificial intelligence?

Keywords

Hemispatial Neglect, Visual Processing, MRI Studies, "White Light Brightness", Brain Model, Consciousness Theory, Neural Activation, Vegetative State

Facts

1. Consciousness is the brain's experience of its own information-processing activity.
2. Hemispatial neglect, such as the case of P.S., reveals a distinction between the brain's processing of information and consciousness.
3. MRI studies compare patterns of neural activation to identify areas of the brain responsible for consciousness.
4. Damage to a particular part of the consciousness-related network can lead to a vegetative state.
5. Research into consciousness may lead to new questions about human identity.

Trends

1. Develop an immersive virtual reality experience that recreates the experience of hemispatial neglect.
2. Create a web-based game that challenges players to think about how complex pathways of neural activation can contribute to consciousness.
3. Design an educational video series that explains hemispatial neglect and other neurological conditions that can affect consciousness.
4. Develop an interactive video platform that allows users to explore how MRI studies and other scientific methods are used to analyze consciousness.
5. Create a philosophical discussion platform to explore different ways of understanding self-awareness and the subjective experience of consciousness.

Source

This learning instructional guidance was formulated using the GPT-3 language model created by OpenAI.

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What is consciousness? Scientists, theologians, and philosophers are still trying to figure it out. Recent research suggests that it may be the brain's imperfect picture of its own activity. #Consciousness #Philosophy #Neuroscience 🤔 @Accredicity

Earn Credentials for Upskilling Yourself with Videos from YouTube

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