subconscious

See also: Unconscious mind.

The term subconscious is defined variously as an adjective or noun. In the strict psychological sense, the adjective is defined as "operating or existing outside of consciousness".^[1] The term also appears in Sigmund Freud's very early work, to denote the unconscious mind but was soon eliminated due to its ambiguity.^[2] It may also be used to describe the preconscious, information contained in the mind, which although not presently in the conscious, may be recalled by "directing attention to them", such as memories not being recalled at present, but still available to be recalled at will. Use of the term "subconscious" is avoided in academic settings^[3] despite remaining popular in common use.^[4]

The definition provided by the Concise Oxford English Dictionary is a little less specific,^[5] defining it in similar terms to the unconscious mind: an area of the mind one cannot be entirely aware of, but that still exerts some influence on one's thinking and actions.

Modalities targeting the subconscious mind

There are a number of methods in use to try to directly affect the subconscious/unconscious mind, primarily the following:

• Affirmations
• Autosuggestion
• Binaural beats
• Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Hypnosis
• Subliminal messages

Notes and references

1. ^ A Dictionary of Psychology Andrew M. Colman. Oxford University Press, 2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. King's College London.
2. ^ ibid
3. ^ ibid
4. ^ Google search on "subconscious mind"
5. ^ The Concise Oxford English Dictionary, Eleventh edition revised Ed. Catherine Soanes and Angus Stevenson. Oxford University Press, 2006. Oxford Reference Online. Oxford University Press. King's College London.

See also

• Consciousness
• Collective unconscious
• Preconscious
• Jacques Lacan
• REM sleep
• NREM
• Slow wave sleep

Transdisciplinary topics

• Philosophy of mind
• List of thought processes

External links

• American Psychology Association
• Merriam Webster Dictionary Definition

Further reading

• Dr. Joseph Murphy, (2001). The Power of Your Subconscious Mind, Bantam Books, ISBN 0-553-58318-2

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