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Related Concept Videos

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Consciousness can be defined as the state of being aware of and able to think about one's existence, sensations, and surroundings. It encompasses two major components: awareness and arousal. Awareness pertains to the recognition of environmental stimuli and internal states. At the same time, arousal refers to the physiological readiness to engage with these stimuli, which varies significantly between states like sleep and wakefulness.
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Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
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The concept of subconscious awareness refers to the processing of information below the level of conscious thought, which significantly influences both behaviors and decisions. It is also known as waking subconscious awareness. This complex level of cognition operates without the direct awareness of the individual, facilitating rapid and simultaneous handling of multiple information streams.
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Altered states of consciousness represent significant deviations from one's normal mental state. These deviations can range from subtle changes in awareness to profound transformations in perception, thought processes, and sensory experiences. Altered states of consciousness can be triggered by various factors, including drug use, meditation, hypnosis, illness, or even intense fatigue.
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How does the non-conscious become conscious?

Joseph E LeDoux1

  • 1Center for Neural Science and Department of Psychology, New York University, New York, NY 1003, USA; Department of Psychiatry, and Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, New York University Langone Medial School, New York, NY 1003, USA; Emotional Brain Institute, Nathan Kline Institute, Orangeburg, NY 10962, USA.

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Neuroscientist Joseph LeDoux reflects on his journey into human consciousness research, inspired by early graduate studies. His decades of work on the amygdala

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Cognitive Science
  • Philosophy of Mind

Background:

  • Joseph LeDoux's early graduate research sparked his interest in human consciousness.
  • He has focused on non-conscious processes, particularly the amygdala's role in threat detection and response, for over four decades.
  • Despite not directly studying consciousness since the 1970s, it has remained a persistent theme in his thinking and writing.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To share current perspectives on human consciousness.
  • To connect lifelong reflections on consciousness with decades of research on the amygdala and non-conscious processing.
  • To offer insights into the relationship between brain mechanisms and subjective experience.

Main Methods:

  • This is a 'My Word' piece, reflecting on personal intellectual history and current thoughts.
  • It involves synthesizing decades of research on the amygdala and non-conscious processes.
  • It presents a conceptual exploration rather than empirical data.

Main Results:

  • The author's long-standing interest in consciousness has been shaped by his research on the amygdala.
  • Non-conscious brain processes, particularly those involving the amygdala, are central to understanding threat detection and response.
  • Current thoughts on consciousness are presented, drawing from a career dedicated to understanding brain function.

Conclusions:

  • The exploration of consciousness is a continuous intellectual pursuit, even when not the primary research focus.
  • Understanding non-conscious brain mechanisms, like those in the amygdala, is crucial for a comprehensive theory of consciousness.
  • The author shares his evolving perspective on what consciousness entails today.