Can thought be shifted between subconscious and conscious awareness?

Question

While awake, can thought activity be transferred between the subconscious and conscious awareness, by will?

You should read this question & answer to learn the proper terminology and with it find the answer to your own question. — Artem Kaznatcheev, Oct 30 '12 at 12:07
if you have seen it, then why are you using the unscientific term 'subconscious'? If you simply used the scientific terms, you would answer your own question. — Artem Kaznatcheev, Oct 31 '12 at 05:49

score 5 · Accepted Answer · answered Oct 29 '12 at 01:50

I don't think the scientific literature would necessarily describe the process as "shifting thought between subconscious and conscious awareness" but putting exact definitions aside, obviously this does occur.

When I recall information, in some sense information is being moved from the unconscious to the conscious part of my mind. By focusing on a different task I am able to switch my attention to something else. Thus, what was previously the focus of my consciousness no longer is.

You could think about top-down versus bottom up processes of allocating attention, where top-down refers to where attention is driven more by the individual and bottom-up refers to when attention is driven more by environmental cues.

There are also many other psychological constructs that are concerned with self-regulation of conscious experience. See for example thought suppression and avoidance coping strategies.

Can thought be shifted between subconscious and conscious awareness?

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