Differences between Conscious and Unconscious Thinking - Research Paper Example

Differences between conscious and unconscious thinking Introduction It is true that people used to confront daily several complex decisions. Most importantly, too much thinking process during complex decision making process generally led to generate poor ideas. It is true that several researchers, critiques and psychologists have presented their view in support of the decision making process in conscious mind. However, according to recent studies, several psychologists have assumed that decision making process in unconscious mind is superiors comparing to the decision making process in conscious mind. This decision making can be considered as impetuous decision making. In addition to this, these specific researchers have stated that if the decision makers are distracted at the time of solving issues, then the consequent choice can be regarded optimal solution as unconscious thinking process weighs, integrates and organizes information in an effective and ideal way. It is true that several researchers have developed different theories regarding the conscious and unconscious thinking process. The major objective of this research paper would be focusing on the significant differences between conscious and unconscious thinking process based on their characteristics. Critical Evaluation In the year 2006, a concept of unconscious thought theory had been proposed regarding the evaluation of decision making process in different stages of thinking process. According to this theory, simple decisions should be made consciously as it helps to enhance effective decision making process (Srinivasan, 2013). On the other hand, this theory has suggested that complex decision making process should be implementable to a specific unconscious thought process. Moreover, the inventor of this specific theory have argued that this particular theory should be applicable to both impression formation, complex decision making process, change process and attitude formation. In addition to this, researchers have stated that this process can be applied in problem solving process with the integration of creativity and innovation. This specific theory has significantly drawn a distinction between conscious and unconscious thought process and attention can be considered as the key to this specific distinction. According to this theory, conscious thought process generally takes place during the focus on the attention of some body. On the other hand, unconscious thought process generally occurs when the attention has been directed somewhere else. There are other key differences between the conscious and unconscious thought process. Generally it has been admitted by the researchers that unconscious thought process has several unlimited capacity while the conscious thought process has limited capacity to enhance effective decision making process during complex situations. It is true that entire system of human body can process almost 11, 200, 000 bits in unconscious thought process in every second. On the other hand, comparing to this fact conscious thought process can only process between 15 and 65 bits in every second. Therefore, it is clear that conscious thought process is less significant comparing to the unconscious thought process. Conscious thought process generally deals with limited percentage of entire incoming information, rest are dealt with the unconscious thought process. Complex thought process has the ability to focus on only one process at a time. On the other hand, unconscious thought process has the ability to focus on different aspects during the decision making process in complex situation. According to the above discussion, it is clear that if individuals only focus on conscious thought process, and then it will take huge amount of time to make a specific decision (Seeds for change, 2013). The researchers have suggested that, it will take four long years for people if they rely on conscious thought process regarding decision making in several situations. It has been already mentioned that several theories have been developed and proposed regarding the differences between conscious and unconscious thought process. However, in the year 1991, Schooler and Wilson have first proposed and stated that minimum capacity of conscious thought process can generate poorer decisions and choices (Newell & Shanks, 2012). They have conducted a study regarding this matter. In this specific study, these two researchers have asked the participants to do comparison between different brands of strawberry jam. However, the researchers have come to the conclusion after the completion of the study that unconscious thought process generally helps individuals to develop proper decisions comparing to the made decision in the conscious thought process. The result of this study and the reason behind the expected result will be discussed in the later section according to the requirement of the research paper. Schooler and Wilson have concluded through this study in the year 1991 that conscious thought procession generally force the people to focus on a particular information’s subset and this aspect can be affect the subsequent choices of people. Additional Evidences Several theories and evidences have been discussed in the above revaluation part to draw comparison between conscious and unconscious thinking process. However, additional evidence has been provided in this part of the study in order to draw similar comparison work. In the year 2004, Dijksterhuis has compared unconscious thought process of human beings with modern computer system in order to find the effectiveness of the decision making process in unconscious thought process (Ritter, 2014). On the other hand, in the same year, the researcher has compared conscious thought process of human beings with the old abacus in order to determine limited capability of the conscious thought process. However, Dijksterhuis has divided the participants into three different groups. These three groups were asked to act differently during the study process. First group among the three groups had to develop and make a decision on immediate basis. The second group in this participation process had to choice after a phase of conscious reflection. On the other hand, the third group had to make their decisions after a significant period of distraction. The last group had to make their decision in unconscious thought process. The groups were divided into three in order to get result regarding the superiority of a specific thought process. The results of this study are also provided in the later section due to the requirement of the research work (Draft, 2008). However, these specific studies generally support the supposition that individuals who consciously deliberate are able to focus only on a particular subset of information. In most of the cases, limited capacity of conscious thought process affect the effectiveness of decision making process and quality of choice. This limited quality of the conscious thought process of human being is the major reason behind the purposeful tends of individuals to jump into a conclusion without analyzing a specific situation appropriately (Anderson, 2008). These above mentioned theoretical aspects are some critical evaluations of the study. Expected Results It is clear from the critical evaluation part that two studies had been conducted in order to do comparison between conscious and unconscious thought process and determine the efficiency of these two thought processes. In the experiment of Schooler and Wilson, it was clear that thought processes of analysts and researchers were superior comparing to the thought process of general participants. According to the common participants, it is clear that quality of each and every strawberry jam is similar as the product is similar. On the other hand, some individuals were forced to ask deliberately to represent their view. After critical analysis and research, some of the participants told that quality of a similar product of different brands generally depends upon several factors, such as price, packaging and ingredients. According to these respondents, quality of all the similar products of different brands cannot be similar. Therefore, it is clear from the response that people can enhance effective decision making process when they go through unconscious thought process as this process has the capability to consider several subsets of information during the decision making process. It is quite expected that unconscious mind and thought process is quite superior comparing to the conscious mind. An individual has the ability to focus on several things at a particular time period. This process led people to develop effective strategies as several useful factors can be considered by people during the unconscious thought process. Therefore, in this case conscious participants failed to distinguish same product of different brand name, On the other hand, participates with unconscious thought process have succeeded to state that the products of different brands cannot be similar due to the difference in price, quality and design of the products. On the other hand, this result can be get from the study of Dijksterhuis that has been conducted in the year 2004. He has rightly compared the unconscious thought process with modern compare and conscious thought process of the human beings with the old abacus. It is clear from the above additional evidence that the researcher has conducted an experiment in which he divided the participants in three different groups. The task of three different groups was different. They had to make decision from a certain situation and it was told by the researcher that the decision will be made by the three different conditions by the three different groups. However, the last group made right decisions and effective choices as they were allowed to make decision after a significant time period of distraction. This process led the people to go through unconscious thought process, which helped them to consider several things in the thought process during the decision making phase. It helped them to make effective decisions as they considered several possible factors in kind while making decisions. However, these studies and the expected results signify that unconscious mind and thought process has that much capacity to develop effective strategy comparing to the conscious thought process during a complex situation. Conclusion It is clear from the above critical evaluation. Additional evidence and expected results that the ability of individuals to develop effective strategy and make significant decisions generally ensured in unconscious thought process. It is true that people have to face or confront several typical situations in mind. According to several studies and experiments, it has been observed that people are able to nurture their knowledge and skills effectively during the critical situation when they pass through unconscious thought process as they consider several aspects and possibilities during that situation. On the other hand, people generally find it difficult to develop effective strategies while they go through conscious thought process as people do not bother about considering several possible factors during this situation. In addition to this, several interesting evidences that are considered in this study can prove that unconscious thought process is quite effective for significant decision making process comparing to the conscious thought process of human beings. References Anderson, E. (2008). Management. New York: Springer. Draft, R. (2008). The New Era of Management. London: Routledge. Newell, B., & Shanks, R. D. (2012). Unconscious influences on decision making: A critical Review. Retrieved from: < http://www2.psy.unsw.edu.au/Users/BNewell/N&SUIDMBBS.pdf>. Ritter, M. (2014). Creativity—the unconscious foundations of the incubation period. Retrieved from: < http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3990058/?>. Seeds for change. (2013). Consensus decision making process. Retrieved from: . Srinivasan, N. (2013). Evaluating the Role of Attention in the Context of Unconscious Thought Theory: Differential Impact of Attention Scope and Load on Preference and Memory. Retrieved from: < http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3563045/>. Read More

 

Read More