The (Re)Discovery of the Unconscious: What We Have Learned from Neuroscience

While the unconscious mind is often viewed as the shadow of the 'real' conscious mind, there is growing evidence that it is no less complex, intentional, or flexible than its conscious counterpart. Unconscious systems regulate a variety of cognitive processes which can influence behavior and emotions. Neuroscience has begun to investigate the neural correlates of these processes and their interactions with conscious processes. Although there are no specific brain structures or circuits dedicated to processing unconscious thought, all brain regions are involved in both conscious and unconscious thought.