Subconscious vs. Unconscious — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on November 2, 2023
The subconscious is a layer of awareness beneath our immediate conscious focus, influencing our actions and feelings, while the unconscious contains deeper, often inaccessible mental processes.
Difference Between Subconscious and Unconscious
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
In the first paragraph, let's define both terms. The subconscious mind is part of our consciousness that operates just below the level of conscious awareness. It's the realm where our thoughts, memories, and feelings exist without immediate conscious attention. On the other hand, the unconscious mind is a deeper, more instinctual part of the psyche that houses processes and memories that are not easily accessible to the conscious mind.
In the second paragraph, we consider the accessibility of content. Subconscious thoughts and impulses can often surface into conscious awareness with some reflection or triggers. They can be accessed, for example, when we daydream or through slips of the tongue. Conversely, the unconscious holds contents that are typically repressed and are not accessible through introspection. It often requires psychoanalytic techniques to bring these contents to consciousness.
In the third paragraph, let's discuss the influence on behavior. The subconscious mind influences our behaviors and decisions in subtle ways, often guiding our actions without us realizing it. It's a sort of autopilot. The unconscious mind, in contrast, drives much of our behavior through deeply rooted beliefs and instincts that are largely immune to conscious thought and direct introspection.
In the fourth paragraph, we explore the theoretical origins. The concept of the subconscious is a bit more accepted across various schools of psychology. It is acknowledged as the part of the mind acting just beneath awareness. The unconscious, however, is most famously detailed in the theories of Sigmund Freud and Carl Jung, who saw it as a repository for repressed thoughts and primal instincts.
In the fifth paragraph, we'll mention the usage in therapy. Therapists may work with the subconscious by suggesting positive habits or thoughts to influence behavior. In contrast, uncovering unconscious material often requires deeper psychoanalytic work to resolve deep-seated issues and repressed experiences.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
Below conscious awareness, influencing thoughts
Deep mental processes not directly accessible
Accessibility
Partially accessible, can surface
Largely inaccessible, often repressed
Influence on Behavior
Subtly guides actions, often unnoticed
Drives behavior through buried beliefs
Theoretical Origin
Broadly accepted in psychology
Central to Freudian and Jungian theories
Therapeutic Approach
Influenced by suggestion and reflection
Accessed through deep psychoanalytic methods
Compare with Definitions
Subconscious
A mental space for thoughts not currently active.
Subconsciously, he knew the answer to the puzzle.
Unconscious
Repository for repressed memories and desires.
Unconscious resentment influenced his behavior towards his friend.
Subconscious
Repository for thoughts affecting us covertly.
Subconscious biases can affect our decisions.
Unconscious
Mental activities occurring without conscious perception.
His fear of abandonment was an unconscious motivation for his clinginess.
Subconscious
Where memories reside outside of focal awareness.
She had a subconscious memory of her grandmother's song.
Unconscious
The mind's part where conscious reasoning does not reach.
The trauma was locked away in her unconscious, unseen but powerful.
Subconscious
The mind’s underlying layer of latent feelings.
Her subconscious affection for the place surprised her.
Unconscious
Not awake and aware of and responding to one's environment
The boy was beaten unconscious
Subconscious
Semi-aware part of the mind influencing behavior.
His fear of water was rooted in his subconscious.
Unconscious
Done or existing without one realizing
He would wipe back his hair in an unconscious gesture of annoyance
Subconscious
In psychology, the subconscious is the part of the mind that is not currently in focal awareness.
Unconscious
The part of the mind which is inaccessible to the conscious mind but which affects behaviour and emotions
Horrific apparitions surfaced out of the recesses of his unconscious
Subconscious
Of or concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings
My subconscious fear
Unconscious
Lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception; not conscious.
Subconscious
The subconscious part of the mind (not in technical use in psychoanalysis, where unconscious is preferred)
Uncertainties were lurking around the edge of her subconscious
Unconscious
Temporarily lacking consciousness.
Subconscious
Not wholly conscious; partially or imperfectly conscious
Subconscious perceptions.
Unconscious
Occurring in the absence of conscious awareness or thought
Unconscious resentment.
Unconscious fears.
Subconscious
The part of the mind below the level of conscious perception. Often used with the.
Unconscious
Without conscious control; involuntary or unintended
An unconscious mannerism.
Subconscious
Partially conscious.
Unconscious
The division of the mind in psychoanalytic theory containing elements of psychic makeup, such as memories or repressed desires, that are not subject to conscious perception or control but that often affect conscious thoughts and behavior.
Subconscious
Syn of unconscious.
The sense of smell can be a subconscious influence on our actions.
Unconscious
Not awake; having no awareness.
After the anesthetist administered the general anesthetic the patient was unconscious.
Subconscious
Syn of unconscious.
A person can sometimes wake up knowing the solution to a problem that their subconscious has been working on.
Unconscious
(psychology) Without directed thought or awareness.
My sudden fright was an unconscious response.
Subconscious
Occurring without the possibility or the fact of an attendant consciousness; - said of states of the soul.
Unconscious
(sports) engaged in skilled performance without conscious control.
Subconscious
Partially conscious; feebly conscious.
Unconscious
(psychology) That part of mind that is not consciously perceived.
Subconscious
Psychic activity just below the level of awareness
Unconscious
Not conscious; having no consciousness or power of mental perception; without cerebral appreciation; hence, not knowing or regarding; ignorant; as, an unconscious man.
Subconscious
Just below the level of consciousness
Unconscious
Not known or apprehended by consciousness; resulting from neural activity of which a person is not aware; as, an unconscious movement; unconscious cerebration.
Unconscious
Having no knowledge by experience; - followed by of; as, a mule unconscious of the yoke.
Unconscious
Unintentional; as, an unconscious insult.
Unconscious
Usually the unconscious; that part of the mind in which mental processes occur that are not accesible to the awareness, but may significantly influence behavior.
Unconscious
That part of the mind wherein psychic activity takes place of which the person is unaware
Unconscious
Not conscious; lacking awareness and the capacity for sensory perception as if asleep or dead;
Lay unconscious on the floor
Unconscious
Without conscious volition
Unconscious
(followed by `of') not knowing or perceiving;
Happily unconscious of the new calamity at home
Unconscious
State of total unawareness or mental inactivity.
He was unconscious after the accident.
Unconscious
Deep-seated drives and instincts beyond awareness.
Primitive survival instincts are part of the unconscious.
Common Curiosities
Can we control our subconscious?
To an extent, we can influence our subconscious through practices like mindfulness, but we cannot fully control it.
What does unconscious mean?
Unconscious can refer to being in a state of unawareness, like being knocked out, or to deep-seated thoughts and impulses that are not easily accessible to awareness.
Is the subconscious always active?
Yes, the subconscious is always active, working in the background even when we're not aware of it.
Are dreams unconscious or subconscious?
Dreams are often thought to be a mixture of both unconscious and subconscious processes.
Is the unconscious mind always negative?
No, the unconscious is not inherently negative; it contains both positive and negative elements.
Can you access the unconscious?
Accessing the unconscious typically requires therapeutic techniques like psychoanalysis.
How do the subconscious and unconscious communicate with the conscious mind?
They communicate through indirect means, like dreams, slips of the tongue, and intuitive feelings.
Do all psychologists agree on the concepts of subconscious and unconscious?
No, there is debate and varying interpretations among psychologists about these concepts.
What is the subconscious?
The subconscious is the part of your mind that operates just below your conscious awareness and influences thoughts, behaviors, and emotions.
Can the subconscious be trained?
Yes, through repeated exposure to positive habits and thoughts, the subconscious can be trained to some extent.
How does the unconscious affect us?
The unconscious affects us through deeply embedded beliefs, fears, and desires that shape our behavior and reactions.
Is hypnosis related to the subconscious or unconscious?
Hypnosis is primarily related to the subconscious, as it deals with bringing semi-aware content to the surface.
Does the unconscious influence physical health?
Some theories suggest that unconscious stress and conflict can manifest in physical symptoms.
Are subconscious thoughts easy to change?
Subconscious thoughts are not easy to change, but with effort and techniques such as cognitive behavioral therapy, change is possible.
How can one tap into the subconscious?
Techniques like meditation, journaling, and certain forms of therapy can help tap into the subconscious.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
