Summary
Studies the neural correlates of awareness, using theories like global workspace and integrated information.
In depth
Approaches: neural correlates of consciousness, global neuronal workspace theory, integrated information theory, and anaesthesia and disorders of consciousness studies. No consensus explanation yet.
Methods include anaesthesia studies and no-report paradigms. Competing theories make different predictions.
Key idea: explaining subjective experience is the 'hard problem'.
Consciousness research separates the 'easy problems' (explaining function, such as attention and report) from the 'hard problem' (why there is subjective experience, as Chalmers framed it). Experimental approaches use binocular rivalry, masking, blindsight, anaesthesia, and no-report paradigms to compare conscious and unconscious processing. Theories: global neuronal workspace (Dehaene, Baars), integrated information theory (Tononi), higher-order theories, recurrent processing (Lamme) and predictive processing. Adversarial collaborations test pairs of theories against each other.
Clinical measures include the perturbational complexity index (zap and zip: TMS pulse plus EEG) to detect consciousness in unresponsive patients, and fMRI tasks showing covert awareness in some patients in a vegetative state (Owen). Questions about animal and AI consciousness raise ethical issues. The cerebellum has most neurons but its loss does not abolish consciousness, suggesting cortex and thalamus are key.
Key idea: consciousness is being investigated empirically, yet remains one of the deepest open questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is Consciousness Research?
Studies the neural correlates of awareness, using theories like global workspace and integrated information.
Which area of biology covers Consciousness Research, and how advanced is it?
Consciousness Research is one of the 54 topics in Neuroscience. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Computational Neuroscience, Visual Cortex Processing, Brain Imaging.
Can you give an example of Consciousness Research?
Binocular rivalry experiments separate perception from stimulus.
What should I learn before Consciousness Research?
Work through the Beginner topics in Neuroscience first, such as Nervous System, Neuron, Central and Peripheral Nervous Systems, then return to Consciousness Research. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Consciousness Research?
The closest topics to Consciousness Research are Computational Neuroscience, Visual Cortex Processing, Brain Imaging, Cerebral Cortex. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Consciousness Research?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Consciousness Research. To practise the whole of Neuroscience, use the Neuroscience quiz.
How is Consciousness Research different from Computational Neuroscience?
Consciousness Research: Studies the neural correlates of awareness, using theories like global workspace and integrated information. Computational Neuroscience: Uses mathematical and computer models to explain how neurons and networks process information. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Consciousness Research step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Computational Neuroscience and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Neuroscience quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.