Human actions, both conscious and unconscious, are deeply rooted in the complex workings of the brain. Our thoughts, movements, and emotions are all governed by a fundamental mechanism called "information processing".
Central to science's understanding of information processing is the pioneering work of the renowned Austrian psychologist, Sigmund Freud (1856-1939). Freud's seminal 3-level model of the mind provides a framework for comprehending the depths of human consciousness; it divides the psyche into 3 distinct strata:
Consciousness
At the forefront of our awareness lies the realm of consciousness, where every thought, sensation, and perception is brought into focus. It involves awareness of our surroundings, thoughts and emotions, bodily sensations, and basic needs such as hunger or thirst.
Within this domain, our perception of the world is vivid and immediate, shaped by our sensory experiences and cognitive processes. For instance, the sight and fragrance of a blooming rose evoke a visceral response that stirs feelings of awe and delight.
Subconscious
Nestled beneath the surface of conscious thought lies the subconscious - a realm teeming with memories, beliefs, fears, and latent desires. Unlike the conscious mind, which operates in the light of day, the subconscious exerts its influence in the shadows, by silently orchestrating our automatic responses and ingrained behaviors. Through repeated practice, mundane tasks such as driving a car or tying shoelaces become second nature - in other words, our habits are all formed within the subconscious mind.
Unconscious
Lying even deeper into the recesses of the mind is the unconscious - a repository of forgotten memories and buried traumas that lie beyond the reach of conscious recollection. Here, the echoes of past experiences linger and shape our perceptions and motivations in ways that elude our conscious understanding. Even when we do our best to unearth them, some memories may still evade our grasp like fleeting shadows in the night.