Final answer:
The content of consciousness varies between normal waking states, where there is high sensory awareness and cognitive process, and altered states such as sleep or drug influence, where sensory perception and cognitive processes may be diminished or altered.
Step-by-step explanation:
The content of consciousness varies significantly from normal waking states to altered states of consciousness. During normal waking consciousness, individuals experience high levels of sensory awareness, cognitive processes, and conscious behavior. This state is characterized by alertness and the efficient perception of external stimuli. Conversely, altered states of consciousness, such as sleep, hypnosis, meditation, and the influence of psychoactive drugs, bring about changes in information processing. For example, during deep sleep, there are reduced sensory awareness and physical activity, along with distinct brain wave patterns and the absence of voluntary control over thought and behavior.
Altered states can induce experiences that differ significantly from those of wakefulness. In the case of drug-induced changes, substances can disrupt neuronal activity and alter perception, emotion, and cognition, making the content of consciousness more erratic or disjointed. Hypnotic and meditative states, on the other hand, may lead to heightened focus or altered perceptions but with different underlying neural mechanisms compared to pharmacological alterations. The existence of these altered states can be attributed to various biological and psychological factors, including the need to restore energy, facilitate learning and memory, and perhaps meet a universal human drive to experience different mental states.