The Differences Between the Subconscious and Unconscious

Our unconscious mind consists of various levels. Among them we discover the subconscious and the unconscious. Let’s see how they differ.

Subconscious AND unconscious If two terms often used interchangeablyeven by some mental health professionals. This is the complicated task of contrasting the 2 entities, given the subtle differences that outline them.

So, to know the differences between the 2, we must first keep in mind that there is part of our mind that we perceive consciously and one other that we don’t.

In this sense, the conscious part includes all of the ideas and experiences that we are able to perceive and remember while in the unconscious part, the mental content that we don’t remember now, is stored.

We will now give attention to describing the unconscious a part of the mind, because that is where the 2 beings we discussed are situated. Let’s go deeper into this.

Levels of the unconscious mind

Understanding the differences between the subconscious and the unconscious it is beneficial to think about the mind as analogous to an iceberg. In this sense, the tip that stands proud of the water and is visible is the conscious part. On the opposite hand, that which is submerged and imperceptible can be the unconscious part.

As shown within the image of the iceberg, the conscious part is simply a small fraction of the vastness of mental content that resides in our mind.

However, we Power Say it, there are different levels of depth within the unconscious mind. Therefore, there are content that may grow to be conscious without much difficulty – for instance, remembering what we had for dinner three days ago – and other information that was well hidden, reminiscent of repressed traumatic childhood experiences.

As you’ll be able to see, some memories are more accessible than others, and this is set by the depth of their storage. That said, essentially the most useful option to understand the differences between the subconscious and the unconscious is their relative inaccessibility. Let’s see how.

Differences between subconscious and unconscious

In general, the word “subconscious” is used to check with the more superficial, unconscious a part of the mind the term “unconscious” is used to check with the deeper and more inaccessible zone of the unconscious.

At this point, it’s entirely reasonable for us to ask ourselves: where is the road between “more superficial unconscious ideas” and “deeper unconscious ideas”? I mean, what makes one idea more superficial and one other deeper?

To answer this query we are able to start by analyzing our present existence after which attempt to see which ideas and memories could also be deeper.

There is, nonetheless, a more convenient option to explain this distinction, and that’s through the mechanisms underlying each case – suppression and repression.

Suppression and repression

Let’s start by explaining that suppression is expounded to the subconscious while suppression is expounded to the unconscious. In this sense, once we repress something (impulse, desire, idea, etc.), we force it to descend below the extent of consciousness.

On the opposite hand, once we suppress, our mind presses something that it considers too dangerous to cover within the depths of our consciousness, to the purpose that it just isn’t recognizable.

In the latter case, we’re talking about an involuntary and instinctive response repression represent psychological defense mechanism, the aim of which is to make sure the protection and survival of the person concerned.

Similarly, repression plays a special role in childhood, when our mental faculties and judgment are quite limited. In this fashion, the mind, unable to address complex and traumatic experiences, sends to the underside of the unconscious what it cannot address.

Consequently, within the unconscious we discover very unpleasant memoriespainful emotions and socially unacceptable desires.

However, as paradoxical as it might sound, this mechanism of survival finally ends up costing us dearly. Reason? Well, unconscious content begins to echo in our behavior – especially in maturity – in the shape of tension or one other disorder.

In contrast, suppression can occur for a wide range of reasons unrelated to distress and survival. For example, we are able to suppress memory for easy mental frugality.

Examples of subconscious and unconscious content

To higher understand the differences between the subconscious and the unconscious, listed here are two situations that reflect the role of each mental instances.

• Subconscious: When we realize that we’re somewhat jealous of our little brother. However, we do not know exactly why. In this case, upon reflection, we realize that this sense arises because we imagine that he had more opportunities and privileges.
• Unconscious: Phobia of horses – the mere sight of them causes uncontrollable panic. Yet you might have no idea why. That’s since you suppressed information and your conscious side hid the undeniable fact that you were forced to ride one as a child regardless that you didn’t need to. Our father even yelled at you and called you a coward.

In the latter case, we see how an unpleasant and traumatic experience for the kid ended up at the back of his mind. Accessing this childhood memory will certainly take several sessions of self-analysis or psychotherapy.

Final reflections

In conclusion, we must keep in mind that the differences between the subconscious and the unconscious should not so sharp in point of fact. This implies that there are literally no clearly defined levels because all the things is on a continuum.

This is why, the terms used only simplify understanding as complex because the human mind.

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