Unconscious Perception: An Overview
Unconscious perception is a psychological phenomenon in which sensory stimuli are processed without conscious awareness. It is an increasingly popular area of research in cognitive psychology, as it has implications for how we understand our mental processes and the power of unconscious influence on conscious behavior. This article will provide an overview of the research on unconscious perception, including its definition, implications, and limitations.
Definition
Unconscious perception is defined as the process of perceiving sensory stimuli without conscious awareness (Kunst-Wilson & Zajonc, 1980). The concept of unconscious perception has a long history in psychology, with its roots in the work of Sigmund Freud and his concept of the unconscious mind. Freud argued that the unconscious was responsible for many mental processes, including perception, and that it was possible to perceive information without being aware of it (Freud, 1915).
Implications
The implications of unconscious perception are wide-reaching. It has implications for how we understand the role of the unconscious in influencing conscious behavior, suggesting that we may be unaware of the role of the unconscious in making decisions and judgments (Dijksterhuis & Bargh, 2001). Unconscious perception can also be used to explain why certain stimuli are more likely to be noticed than others, as well as why we may react differently to certain stimuli than we do to others (Kunst-Wilson & Zajonc, 1980).
Limitations
Despite its popularity, there are some limitations to the concept of unconscious perception. One of the key limitations is that it is difficult to measure and quantify unconscious perception, as it is an internal process and cannot be observed directly (Kunst-Wilson & Zajonc, 1980). Additionally, there are ethical considerations that must be taken into account when conducting research on unconscious perception, as it can be used in unethical ways (Loftus & Loftus, 1980).
Conclusion
Unconscious perception is an important area of research in cognitive psychology, as it has implications for how we understand our mental processes and the power of unconscious influence on conscious behavior. Although there are some limitations to the concept, research on unconscious perception can provide insight into how we perceive the world and the role of the unconscious in influencing our behavior.
References
Dijksterhuis, A., & Bargh, J. A. (2001). The perception-behavior expressway: Automatic effects of social perception on social behavior. Advances in Experimental Social Psychology, 33, 1-40.
Freud, S. (1915). The unconscious. The Standard Edition of the Complete Psychological Works of Sigmund Freud, 14, 159-204.
Kunst-Wilson, W. R., & Zajonc, R. B. (1980). Affective discrimination of stimuli that cannot be recognized. Science, 207, 557-558.
Loftus, E. F., & Loftus, G. R. (1980). On the permanence of stored information in the human brain. American Psychologist, 35, 409-420.