Final answer:
Two psychological characteristics that indicate we are in an altered state of consciousness when asleep are reduced sensory awareness and increased brain wave activity during REM sleep.
Step-by-step explanation:
Two psychological characteristics that indicate we are in an altered state of consciousness when asleep are:
- Reduced sensory awareness: When we are asleep, our ability to perceive and process sensory information from the external world is significantly diminished. For example, we may not respond to loud noises or physical sensations in the same way we would when awake.
- Increased brain wave activity during REM sleep: REM sleep is characterized by rapid eye movement and is associated with vivid dreaming. During this stage, our brain wave patterns resemble those of wakefulness, indicating an active and highly conscious state despite being asleep.