subconscious
sub-KON-shus
/ˌsʌbˈkɒnʃəs/
Concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware, but which influences actions and feelings.
Refers to mental processes operating beneath immediate surface awareness.
The story behind the word. Coined in the 19th century by joining Latin 'sub-' (underneath) with 'conscius' (knowing or aware). It literally translates to 'underneath awareness', describing mental activity taking place below the threshold of active conscious thought.
Word relationships
- unconscious: Unconscious can mean passed out physically, whereas subconscious specifically describes mental activity beneath conscious awareness.
- conscious: Conscious means actively aware and responsive to surroundings.
Commonly confused with
- unconscious: Unconscious often implies medical insensibility; subconscious refers to background mental processing.
Word family
- subconsciously (adverb): In a manner without active conscious awareness.
Collocations
- subconscious mind
- subconscious urge
- subconscious bias
- subconscious level
Idioms & expressions
- beneath the surface
Example sentences
- "Subconscious cues in advertising can subtly influence consumer brand preferences without their conscious realization." Behavioral psychology
Memory hook
Subconscious = Sub (submarine under water) + Conscious (awareness); awareness floating below the surface. Subconscious = mental activity under the surface.
When not to use
In psychoanalytic circles, Freud preferred 'unconscious', though 'subconscious' is widely used in general cognitive psychology.
Fun facts
- Research suggests the subconscious mind processes information at roughly 11 million bits per second, compared to 50 bits per second for conscious thought.
Related words
Explore more words
subliminal, cognitive, latent, introspective, incubation, impulsive
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