Freud's Levels of Consciousness
This page explores Sigmund Freud's theory of consciousness, which proposes three distinct levels: conscious, preconscious, and unconscious. It also introduces additional levels of consciousness beyond Freud's original model.
Freud's three levels of consciousness are:
- Conscious level: The level at which a person perceives thoughts and feelings in the present moment.
- Preconscious level: The level from which a person can quickly recall memories or stored knowledge.
- Unconscious level: The level containing repressed desires, wants, and impulses of which a person is unaware.
Quote: "According to Freud, the unconscious controls much of your conscious behavior, whether you are aware of it or not."
The unconscious level is described as containing past traumas, hidden hostilities, and desires that one may not be proud of. Freud believed that all levels of consciousness played a role in influencing personality and behavior.
Two additional levels of consciousness are introduced:
- Nonconscious: Automatic body processes that function without conscious thought, such as breathing or sweating.
- Subconscious: The level of consciousness that picks up external signals that the conscious mind does not notice.
Vocabulary: The Glasgow Coma Scale is a tool used in medical settings to assess levels of consciousness, particularly in cases of brain injury or altered mental states.
Example: Subliminal advertising attempts to influence the subconscious mind by briefly presenting messages that the conscious mind may not notice.