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| A Model of the Subconscious |
A Model of the Subconscious
It is assumed that the hindbrain, the mid-brain complex, and the forebrain arose in an evolutionary fashion, and that at each stage of this evolution the mind required a subconscious component. These components are closely associated with: the threelevel model of the physical brain adopted in section 1.1; Freud’s id, ego, and super ego; and MacLean’s triune model of the brain.
When making additions to a country farmhouse, all modifications always have to occur in conjunction with a fully functioning system. On a working farm, the family has to continue living in its house while any renovations are made. If a new kitchen is added, the old kitchen is still used all during construction. In a similar manner, as the human brain evolved, the old version had to remain fully functional even as new features were added. This implies that the old subconscious mind at Level I had to remain functional even as more sophisticated components at Level II, and then Level III, evolved.
Presumably each level of the subconscious receives input from the senses, has control of some physical activities, manages some memory functions, and provides motivating output (emotions) to direct behaviours for survival. Each level also has its own unique characteristics, otherwise it would not stand out as distinct from the other levels.
A three-level model of the subconscious has the advantage of providing a simple but powerful concept for explaining a wide variety of human behaviour.
It is assumed that the hindbrain, the mid-brain complex, and the forebrain arose in an evolutionary fashion, and that at each stage of this evolution the mind required a subconscious component. These components are closely associated with: the threelevel model of the physical brain adopted in section 1.1; Freud’s id, ego, and super ego; and MacLean’s triune model of the brain.
When making additions to a country farmhouse, all modifications always have to occur in conjunction with a fully functioning system. On a working farm, the family has to continue living in its house while any renovations are made. If a new kitchen is added, the old kitchen is still used all during construction. In a similar manner, as the human brain evolved, the old version had to remain fully functional even as new features were added. This implies that the old subconscious mind at Level I had to remain functional even as more sophisticated components at Level II, and then Level III, evolved.
Presumably each level of the subconscious receives input from the senses, has control of some physical activities, manages some memory functions, and provides motivating output (emotions) to direct behaviours for survival. Each level also has its own unique characteristics, otherwise it would not stand out as distinct from the other levels.
A three-level model of the subconscious has the advantage of providing a simple but powerful concept for explaining a wide variety of human behaviour.
