Modulation Effect and Potential Mechanisms of Selective Attention on Unconscious Processing
10.16476/j.pibb.2024.0025
- VernacularTitle:选择性注意对无意识加工的调节作用及潜在机制
- Author:
Xi-Qian WU
1
;
Xi-Lei ZHANG
1
;
Yi JIANG
1
;
Liang WANG
1
Author Information
1. Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
attention;
unconscious processing;
visual processing;
semantic processing;
emotion;
attention sensitization model
- From:
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics
2024;51(9):2016-2027
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Consciousness and unconsciousness represent a compelling topic in psychology and neuroscience, embodying a dynamic interplay between two fundamental cognitive states. Understanding the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying their interaction poses a significant challenge. While previous studies have predominantly focused on the impact of attention on consciousness, the influence of attention on unconscious processes has often been overlooked. However, the role of attention in modulating unconscious information processing is paramount, as it can regulate various aspects of unconscious visual processing, including simple visual information, semantic content, and emotional stimuli. Within the visual processing pathway, attention operates at early levels to modulate unconscious visual processing, starting at least from the eye-of-origin and visual orientations. In the semantic system, attention can top-down enhance unconscious semantic processes in a goal-dependent manner, enhancing goal-relevant processes while suppressing goal-irrelevant ones. In the emotional system, attentional load, in addition to target relevance, can regulate unconscious emotional processing. These findings suggest that the regulatory role of attention on unconscious processes depends on both goal relevance and the amount of attentional resources. Specifically, the goal-relevance of unconscious processes determines the direction of attentional modulation, while the amount of attentional resources allocated determines the extent of modulation. The once-prevailing notion that unconscious processing is automatic and not subject to attentional modulation has been gradually overturned. Current studies indicate that attention can modulate both conscious and unconscious processes, providing a new perspective on the relationship between attention and consciousness. Spatial attention can operate independently from consciousness at the neural representation level. Furthermore, other factors tightly related to attention, such as goal-related task sets, working memory, and attentional load, can all impact unconscious processes. These findings collectively suggest that attention and consciousness are functionally dissociated, supporting the idea that attention is necessary for both conscious and some unconscious processes. In conclusion, unconscious information processing is a complex and intriguing field where attention plays a crucial role. Continued in-depth research in this area is needed to deepen our understanding of how the human brain processes unconscious information and how attention exerts its regulatory influence. This not only requires studying the commonalities and specificities of different types of attention but also examining the sharing and individuality among different sensory modalities and cognitive modules. Theoretically, this not only helps us understand the mechanisms of attention but also sheds light on the mechanisms of consciousness. Studying these issues is also of practical value. Importantly, the organization and regulation of unconscious processes are closely related to human survival and development. For example, while rapid unconscious emotional processes (such as unconscious fear) are beneficial for rapid threat responses and increased survival chances, excessive and uncontrolled unconscious emotional processes can lead to anxiety disorders, phobias, and other mental disorders. Furthermore, while repeated perceptual and behavioral training can improve efficiency by forming highly automated unconscious processes, excessively stubborn unconscious processes can hinder the learning of new skills. Studying the role of attention in regulating these unconscious processes can help develop new intervention methods to maintain mental health and improve behavioral performance.
