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Consciousness for perception and for action: A perspective from unconscious binding
1Department of Psychology,The Ohio State University,Columbus,OH 43210.zhichenglin@gmail.comhttps://sites.google.com/site/zhichenglin/.
The Behavioral and Brain Sciences
|March 31, 2017
Summary
The scope of unconscious perception is likely overestimated. This study proposes an unconscious binding perspective and rigorous methods to better define unconscious processing, suggesting consciousness enhances saliency via focal attention.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy of Mind
Background:
- Current theories may overestimate the capabilities of unconscious perception.
- A need exists for clearer methodologies to distinguish unconscious processing from conscious awareness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To challenge existing assumptions about the extent of unconscious perception.
- To introduce an "unconscious binding perspective" for delineating unconscious processing.
- To propose a functional role for consciousness in enhancing perceptual saliency.
Main Methods:
- Theoretical argumentation.
- Conceptual analysis of unconscious perception and consciousness.
- Proposal of a novel perspective integrating binding principles with unconscious processing.
Main Results:
- Extant theories likely overestimate the scope and strength of unconscious perception.
- An "unconscious binding perspective" provides a framework for rigorous methodological delineation.
- Consciousness functions to increase the saliency of information through focal attention deployment.
Conclusions:
- Re-evaluation of unconscious perception's limits is necessary.
- The proposed perspective and methodology offer a path to more accurate understanding.
- Consciousness plays a crucial role in attentional modulation and information saliency.