Unconscious

The human brain is the most complex physical entity in the universe.

The unconscious is "the complex of mental activities within an individual that proceed without his awareness."

"While often used interchangeably, the terms "subconscious" and "unconscious" refer to distinct, though related, aspects of the mind. The subconscious is a level of mental activity below conscious awareness, influencing thoughts and behaviors without direct conscious control. The unconscious, in a Freudian context, refers to a deeper, more inaccessible realm of the mind, containing repressed memories and instincts." (See also: What is the subconscious and unconscious mind?).

According to Kendra Cherry, MSEd:

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The very idea that the unconscious exists has been controversial. A number of researchers have criticized the notion and questioned if there actually is an unconscious mind at all. More recently in the field of cognitive psychology, researchers have focused on automatic and implicit functions to describe things that were previously attributed to the unconscious. According to this approach, there are many cognitive functions that take place outside of our conscious awareness.

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Unconscious mind in Freudian psychology and general psychology

Sigmund Freud in his study

According to Kendra Cherry, MSEdm, "In Sigmund Freud's psychoanalytic theory, the unconscious mind is a collection of thoughts, feelings, memories, and urges that are outside of conscious awareness. Freud believed that the unconscious mind influences behavior even when people are unaware of these influences. He also believed that many emotions, desires, and feelings are repressed or held out of awareness because they are too threatening."

Articles on Unconscious mind in Freudian psychology

• Freud’s Theory Of The Unconscious Mind, SimplePsychology.org
• Freud and the unconscious, The British Psychological Society, 2000

The unconscious mind and general psychology

• The Unconscious Mind by Kendra Cherry, MSEdm, VeryWellMind.com
• How the Unconscious Mind Influences Your Everyday Decisions by Kendra Cherry, MSEd
• Research in Action: Exploring the Conscious and Unconscious Mind, University of California at Davis
• Probing the Unconscious Mind, Scientific American
• What the Science Actually Says About Unconscious Decision Making, MIT Press Reader
• We’re in control: new research dismantles the power of the unconscious, University of Sydney

Videos:

• Unconscious - Video playlist, Video playlist
• Unconscious mind - video playlist, Video playlist

Practical application

• Applying the Theory of Unconscious Thinking: A Practical Guide for Intuitive Decisions

Hypnotherapy and the unconscious mind and subconscious mind

See also: Hypnosis

"Hypnotherapy leverages the power of the unconscious mind to facilitate positive change. By inducing a relaxed, focused state (hypnosis), it allows individuals to access and influence their unconscious mind, which is believed to play a significant role in shaping thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. This can be used to address a variety of issues, from anxiety and phobias to limiting beliefs and habits." - Hypnotherapy and the unconscious mind

Articles:

• The unconscious and the conscious mind in hypnotherapy
• Understanding the Subconscious: Its Central Role in Hypnosis by Ran D. Anbar M.D.
• Hypnosis and the Power of the Subconscious Mind by Dr. Jan Philamon, PhD, BA (Hons) Psychology, C Teach, JP (Qual) Qld, MAPS.

Journal article

• The Unconscious Mind. Perspectives on Psychological Science: A Journal of the Association for Psychological Science. 2008 Jan; 3(1): 73–79. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-6916.2008.00064.x

See also

• Brain