In psychology, consciousness is often divided into different states and levels, such as wakefulness and self-reflective awareness.

Consciousness is not a single uniform state. Instead, it varies in depth and clarity. We experience normal wakefulness, altered states during meditation or hypnosis, and deeper states like sleep or unconsciousness. Some psychological approaches also distinguish between basic awareness and higher levels of self-reflective thinking, which involve monitoring and directing one’s thoughts and actions.