Does the subconscious mind really exist?

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My professor said something about that it's not for sure wether the subconscious exists or not..

I didn't really get it.. What could he have meant?

Did you ask your professor?

Is this a homework question?

That is such a philosophical question. It's the type that most people will only ever be able to definitively answer for him/herself. I like to think that the subconscious does exist in the sense that the mind is working even when consciousness isn't (e.g. during non-REM sleep).

The simple answer: Yes

There are plenty of studies that demonstrates that cognitive processes occur without "conscious" awareness of said processes.

Anyone that disputes this clearly isn't aware of what's going on in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, let alone the work on priming in social psych, etc.

Originally Posted by The Everglow

The simple answer: Yes

There are plenty of studies that demonstrates that cognitive processes occur without "conscious" awareness of said processes.

Anyone that disputes this clearly isn't aware of what's going on in cognitive psychology and neuroscience, let alone the work on priming in social psych, etc.

On the other hand, though, how deep is this question supposed to go? It kinda depends on how you define "the subconscious." Are there functions of your brain working that you're not totally aware of? Yeah. Is there any support to the Freudian idea of Id as subconscious? Not really, no. Without the OP going into what they mean by "subconscious," does the question have any meaning?

Originally Posted by Veit

On the other hand, though, how deep is this question supposed to go? It kinda depends on how you define "the subconscious." Are there functions of your brain working that you're not totally aware of? Yeah. Is there any support to the Freudian idea of Id as subconscious? Not really, no. Without the OP going into what they mean by "subconscious," does the question have any meaning?

Agreed, which is why terms such as nonconscious have come to be, rather than subconscious or even unconscious.

Originally Posted by Veit

On the other hand, though, how deep is this question supposed to go? It kinda depends on how you define "the subconscious." Are there functions of your brain working that you're not totally aware of? Yeah. Is there any support to the Freudian idea of Id as subconscious? Not really, no. Without the OP going into what they mean by "subconscious," does the question have any meaning?

Agreed

Originally Posted by Veit

Without the OP going into what they mean by "subconscious," does the question have any meaning?

OP has already cut and pasted the above posts into the homework assignment. Her/his work here is done.

Originally Posted by wigflip

OP has already cut and pasted the above posts into the homework assignment. Her/his work here is done.

This one I don't really feel bad about because it'd be a pretty awful homework question.

If the subconscious mind really does exist, can we be consciously aware of it?

"Sunconscious" exists the way "behavior" exists or "cognition" exists. It's a concept, not an actual physical entity. We still refer to this concept only because it has its uses, for instance, in explaining behavior or thoughts that are not acknowledged or seemingly are not under one's control. The problem with it is that it's very hard to operationalize. And that's extremely important if a concept or theory is to gain the respect of today's very empirical science.

This will give you more work than its worth if you just want to parrot, but if you're genuinely interested then have at it:

HM's mirror writing. Claparade's pin-prick (he was the prick, IMO) .

Explain the background of each patient, neural mechanisms involved and not involved, and their implications for understanding unconscious processes in cognition, learning, AND behavior.

Have fun.