Data map
“In a nutshell, our theory is that consciousness develops as a memory system that is used by our unconscious brain to help us imagine the future flexibly and creatively and plan accordingly,” said the study’s corresponding author and professor of neurology Dr Anderw Budson said, “What’s new about this theory is that it shows that we don’t directly perceive the world, make decisions, or perform actions. Instead, we do all of these things unconsciously, and then – about half a second later – – Consciously remember to do these things.”
To explain some phenomena that earlier theories of consciousness could not easily explain, Budson noted that he and his co-authors — psychologist Elizabeth Kensinger, PhD, of Boston College, and philosopher Kenneth Richman, PhD, of the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — proposed this theory.
“We know that conscious processes are simply too slow to actively participate in music, sports, and other activities that require instant reflexes. But if consciousness is not involved in these processes, then a better explanation of the role of consciousness is needed,” Budson said.
The theory is important, the researchers say, because it sheds light on how all of our human choices and actions — which we mistakenly think are made consciously — are actually made unconsciously. So, since our consciousness isn’t responsible for our actions, we might tell ourselves we’re just going to eat a scoop of ice cream, and then, next thing we know, the container is empty.
“Even our thoughts are generally not under our conscious control,” adds Budson. “This lack of control is why we may have trouble stopping the flow of thoughts in our minds when trying to fall asleep, and why mindfulness is so hard.”
Budson and his collaborators consider a number of neurological, psychiatric and developmental disorders to be disorders of consciousness, including Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, delirium, migraine, schizophrenia, dissociative identity disorder, some types of autism and many more.
Finally, their paper provides a roadmap illustrating clinicians,educateHow workers and individuals can best improve behaviour and acquire knowledge, both the conscious and unconscious minds can be effectively shaped through the use of clinical and pedagogical methods. With further exploration, this work may allow patients to improve problematic behaviors like binge eating and help us understand the way brain structures support memory, and even provide insights into philosophical questions surrounding free will and moral responsibility.