What is the Difference Between the Conscious and Subconscious Mind?

The conscious and subconscious mind are two different ways of thinking that are often confused. This article explores the difference that lies in the functions of the conscious and unconscious mind. Keep reading to gain information on how to better understand both.

What is the Difference Between the Conscious and Subconscious Mind?

The main difference between the conscious and subconscious mind lies on the basic human functions and mental processes. The subconscious mind is known to control all our day-to-day activities done on a voluntary basis.

While the conscious mind can be considered to be the “thinking self”, the subconscious is more of the “feeling self”. The conscious mind is connected to the outside world, and the subconscious is connected to the inside world. 

Since humans have evolved, so has the brain. From the primitive brain that controls basic bodily functions to the modern, highly evolved cerebral cortex of the brain, the brain continues to evolve. 

The conscious and subconscious thought processes are two different parts of the brain. The conscious mind is the thinker, the thinker of thoughts, and it is the part of the brain that we use while we are awake. 

The subconscious mind is the motivator and the part that determines what thoughts are allowed to enter the conscious mind. It’s the part of the brain that controls impulses and urges. 

The conscious mind is for logical thinking whereas the subconscious mind is responsible for making decisions that are more instinctive. The conscious mind is a part of the rational brain and it is responsible for things like logic, reason, and rationality. 

The subconscious mind is a part of the emotional brain and it is responsible for things like intuition, emotions, and creativity. The conscious and subconscious minds work together to produce the effects that we desire in our lives. 

Lastly, the conscious mind is the part of your brain that is aware of what you are doing and how you are feeling. It is the part of your brain that allows you to think and make decisions. 

The subconscious mind is the part of your brain that controls habits, emotions, and automatic behaviors. Your subconscious mind is always working in the background and is what controls your automatic functions like breathing, heart rate, and digestion.

What is the conscious mind and its function?

The conscious mind can also be compared to television, where it gathers information from the senses and filters it to help make sense of the world.

It can also be compared to a computer screen because it displays all the information that the mind has collected and processed. The conscious mind is aware of its own existence. It has the following functions:

• The conscious mind is responsible for rationalizing, paying attention, logical thinking, and reasoning
• Responsible for reasoning, and problem-solving.
• Also responsible for regulating and controlling behaviors
• Awareness of the present moment and is capable of making sense of information. 
• Part of the mind that is aware of itself and its thoughts.
• Responsible for prioritizing information and directing attention to relevant stimuli. 
• Allows you to be aware of the world around you.
• Helps you make logical choices and avoid risky situations
• Controls mood and emotions.

What is the subconscious mind and its function?

The subconscious is often referred to as the “hidden” or “invisible” mind because it is not directly accessible to our conscious thoughts. For example, the subconscious helps to regulate behavior and control thoughts that are outside of our awareness.

The subconscious is so much more than just your “inner voice.” It’s a network of neural pathways that are constantly being formed and destroyed throughout your life, which helps you learn and remember new things.

It is a set of programs and memories that are always on, such as the programs that make you breathe, blink, and sleep. The subconscious mind takes in sensory information from the outside world and makes decisions based on those signals.

The subconscious mind is constantly working away at the tasks it has set for itself. It helps us remember events, execute complicated tasks, and keep us motivated. The subconscious mind is always working on tasks that we don’t even realize are happening, and this process is vital to our well-being.

The subconscious mind is an amazing part of the brain that takes care of everything you do without you even knowing it. It’s a lot like a computer that keeps all of your thoughts, memories, and feelings on its hard drive. 

It is always working and there are many reasons why one might be able to recall things from the past or have trouble remembering something from the present. 

What is the difference between the Conscious and Subconscious Mind according to Freud’s theory?

Freud’s theory was that the mind has three levels of awareness: the conscious, the preconscious, and the unconscious. This includes how these three elements interact to contribute to the human experience. 

Freud described the conscious mind as consisting of all the mental processes of which we are aware. The preconscious contains thoughts and feelings that a person is not currently aware of, but which can easily be brought to consciousness. 

This is often referred to as available memory. The function of your subconscious mind is to store and retrieve data. 

Conclusion

The terms ‘Conscious’ and ‘Subconscious’ are variably used to define the state of mind in psychology. The main difference between the conscious and subconscious mind lies on the basic human functions and mental processes. The subconscious mind is known to control all our day-to-day activities done on a voluntary basis.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): What is the difference between the conscious and subconscious mind?

Which is more powerful, conscious or subconscious mind?

The conscious mind is the part of your brain that is in control of your thoughts and actions. The subconscious mind, on the other hand, is the part of your brain that stores memories and thoughts that are not currently being used. The subconscious mind is more powerful than the conscious mind because it is constantly recording memories and thoughts and is constantly working on autopilot, without you even realizing it.

What is the highest level of consciousness?

There are many different levels of consciousness, but the highest level is called “cosmic consciousness.” This is the level where you can be in tune with the universe. The cosmic consciousness is also where you are aware of your own inner being and you understand how everything around you works. The cosmic consciousness is also where you can see the meaning of life and how everything connects.

What is your superconscious mind?

The superconscious thoughts feature a degree of recognition that sees past fabric facts and faucets into the underlying spiritual meaning of things. It is the key to understanding what life is all about and why we are here. It is also the key to becoming aware of your own superconscious mind. The superconscious mind can be accessed in meditation and through various means of spiritual practice.

Reference

Messerschmidt, R. (1927). A quantitative investigation of the alleged independent operation of conscious and subconscious processes. The Journal of Abnormal and Social Psychology, 22(3), 325.

Das, K. K. (2021). Consciousness: And Its Relation With Subconscious Mind.

Kamble, P. (2021). What is Subconscious Mind? How Does it Impact our Behaviour?. How Does it Impact our Behaviour.

Chalmers, D. J. (1996). The conscious mind: In search of a fundamental theory. Oxford Paperbacks.

Conscious vs. Subconscious mind: Do you really know the difference?. Retrieved from https://medium.com/@ozgel/conscious-vs-subconscious-mind-do-you-really-know-the-difference-1196a2e05dc2

The Differences Between Your Conscious and Subconscious Mind . Retrieved from https://marisapeer.com/the-differences-between-your-conscious-and-subconscious-mind/