Definition

Noun: 1. The part of the mind containing psychic material of which one is not fully aware but which influences thoughts, feelings, and actions: The subconscious mind operates below the level of conscious awareness, storing memories, desires, and impulses that can affect behavior without one's explicit knowledge.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Psychoanalysis aims to bring conflicts from the subconscious mind into conscious awareness.
  • Her fear of water might stem from a forgotten childhood experience buried in her subconscious mind.
  • Creative ideas often seem to bubble up from the subconscious mind.

Advanced Usage

• "To access the subconscious mind": to try to reach or influence mental content that is not consciously accessible.
  • Hypnosis is sometimes used to access the subconscious mind.
• "The power of the subconscious mind": a phrase highlighting its perceived influence on shaping reality or habits.
  • The book discusses the power of the subconscious mind in achieving personal goals.

Variants and Related Words

• Subconscious (adj/noun): operating or existing just below the level of conscious thought; often used interchangeably with "subconscious mind."
  • A subconscious desire. (adj)
  • The answer came from my subconscious. (noun)
• Unconscious mind (noun): in some psychological theories, a deeper part of the mind than the subconscious, containing repressed feelings and instincts.

Synonyms

• Unconscious (noun): the part of the mind containing thoughts and feelings not presently in awareness.
• Preconscious (noun): in psychoanalytic theory, thoughts not currently in awareness but readily accessible.

Related Phrases

• Subconscious processing: mental activity that occurs without conscious effort.
  • Subconscious processing helps us perform routine tasks like driving.
• Subconscious influence: an effect caused by something in the subconscious mind.
  • Advertising often relies on subconscious influence.

Related Idioms

• "Mind over matter": While not directly about the subconscious, this idiom relates to the mind's power, which some attribute to conscious and subconscious forces.
  • He used mind over matter to ignore the pain.

Noun

1. psychic activity just below the level of awareness