Results of Measurements of the State of Consciousness with the Conscious Meter

by Pia Ikonen, Helsinki School of Economics and Matti Bergström, Helsinki University

At the Tucson Conference 2004 we presented the Architecture of a Consciousness Meter, based on a definition of consciousness. The method consisted of the presen- tation of a proposition (P) to the testperson and the registration of his/her immediate answer (A) to the propsition. P and A were treated with a Mandelbrot equation (P the constant and A the variable term) describing the dynamics of thinking in brainīs limbic Self, according to our theory of this Self being a fractal complex number space (see above Abstract 2004). The iteration of the equation is considered to form the thinking process, so that the immediate answer (A) is conscious and the iterative steps are subconscious. A semantic presentation (see below) of the iterative steps in our program showd the movment of the complex number vector in the space of Self in relation to its 2 dimensions (knowledge of content of proposition and belief on it).

Here are shown typical results of measurements in males, females and children: P (the proposition) in all cases was "You should buy yourself new clothes!"

Case Typical man: the immediate conscious answer was "Yes, I know excactly what it means, in spite of not quite believing it would be the right thing to do".

1. Iterative steps of subconscious thinking:
2. 1. I try to find more information about it and I believe fully - No, but I still believe
3. 2. I donītknow anything but I believe - It doesnīt help, I have also to know
4. 3. I know everything about the proposition, but I donīt believe!

Case Typical child: the immediate conscious answer was "Yes you are right! I believe in your proposal, in spite of not knowing exactly what it would mean".

1. Iterative steps of subconscious thinking:
2. 1. I donīt know anything but I believe fully - but I feel confused and blackout
3. 2. I donīt know anything and I donīt believe at all - after all I am believing
4. 3. I donīt know anything but I believe fully!

Case Typical woman: the immediate conscious answer was "I understand your points of view. I know what it would mean, and I believe it would be good".

1. Iterative steps of subconscious thinking:
2. 1. I am not sure if I know about it but I believe fully - I feel confused and blackout
3. 2. I donīt know anything and I donīt believe at all - Oh no, now I understand what the proposition means
4. 3. I know everything about the proposition and I believe fully!

From these results we can see how, despite unconscious hesitation, a typical man depends on objective knowledge only, how a child depends on subjective belief only and how a typical woman depends on both objective knowledge and subjective belief. She is an understander! The philosophical interpretation is that men are 3īrd person, children 1īst person and women 1īst and 3īrd person thinkers. The scientific interpretation is that men are cortical, children brain stem and women whole brain types. Consciousness consequently is a whole brain concept, its state varying along the developmental axis between cortical and brain stem centres (see above reference).

Back to homepage of Matti Bergström.