What triggers explicit awareness in implicit sequence learning? Implications from theories of consciousness

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience of Consciousness

Background:

• Implicit learning often results in unconscious knowledge acquisition.
• Understanding the transition from implicit to explicit, conscious knowledge is a key challenge in cognitive science.

Purpose of the Study:

• To extend the discussion on the emergence of conscious knowledge from implicit learning.
• To evaluate existing theoretical views on consciousness in light of Global Workspace Theory and Higher-Order Thought Theories.

Main Methods:

• Review of theoretical perspectives on consciousness.
• Evaluation of theoretical compatibility with Global Workspace Theory and Higher-Order Thought Theories.
• Introduction and elaboration of the Unexpected Event Hypothesis.

Main Results:

• The Unexpected Event Hypothesis offers a framework for understanding conscious knowledge emergence in implicit learning.
• The hypothesis provides an advantage in explaining how explicit awareness arises from implicit processes.

Conclusions:

• The Unexpected Event Hypothesis presents a promising avenue for future research into the consciousness-implicit learning interface.
• Further investigation is needed to fully elucidate the mechanisms underlying the transition from implicit to explicit knowledge.