Essential Sources in the Scientific Study of Consciousness

Consciousness is at the very core of the human condition. Yet only in recent decadeshas it become a major focus in the brain and behavioral sciences. Scientists now know thatconsciousness involves many levels of brain functioning, from brainstem to cortex. The almostseventy articles in this book reflect the breadth and depth of this burgeoning field. The manytopics covered include consciousness in vision and inner speech, immediate memory and attention,waking, dreaming, coma, the effects of brain damage, fringe consciousness, hypnosis, anddissociation.

Underlying all the selections are the questions, What differencedoes consciousness make? What are its properties? What role does it play in the nervous system? Howdo conscious brain functions differ from unconscious ones? The focus of the book is on scientificevidence and theory. The editors have also chosen introductory articles by leading scientists toallow a wide variety of new readers to gain insight into the field.

William P. Banks is Professor of Psychology at Pomona College and editor-in-chief of the journal Consciousness and Cognition.