A great deal of complex cognitive processing occurs at the
unconscious level and affects how people behave, think and feel.
But scientists are only beginning to understand how this occurs on
the neural level. Understanding the neural basis of consciousness
requires an account of the neural mechanisms that underlie both
conscious and unconscious thought, and their dynamic interaction.
For example, how do conscious impulses, desires, or motives become
conscious (e.g. Freudian slips)? Research taking advantage of
advances in technologies, like functional magnetic resonance
imaging, has led to a revival and re-conceptualization of some of
the key concepts of psychoanalytic theory, and progress at
understanding their neural basis. According to psychoanalytic
theory, unconscious dynamic processes defensively remove
anxiety-provoking thoughts and impulses from consciousness in
response to one's conflicting attitudes. Within this framework, the
progress that keep unwanted thoughts from entering consciousness
include repression, suppression and dissociation. I
will discuss studies from psychology and cognitive neuroscience in
both the healthy and patient populations that are beginning to
elucidate the neural basis of these phenomena. This will ultimately
lead to more effective treatment options for certain psychological
disorders and help us better understand our own consciousness.
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