creators_name: Velmans, Max
type: journalp
datestamp: 1998-02-10
lastmod: 2011-03-11 08:54:06
metadata_visibility: show
title: Is Human Information Processing Conscious?
ispublished: pub
subjects: behav-neuro-sci
subjects: cog-psy
subjects: comp-sci-art-intel
subjects: phil-epist
subjects: phil-mind
full_text_status: public
keywords: attention, brain, complementarity, consciousness, functionalism, information processing, mind, reductionism, unconscious, first person, third person
abstract: Investigations of the function of consciousness in human information processing have focused mainly on two questions: (1) where does consciousness enter into the information processing sequence and (2) how does conscious processing differ from preconscious and unconscious processing. Input analysis is thought to be initially "preconscious," "pre-attentive," fast, involuntary, and automatic. This is followed by "conscious," "focal-attentive" analysis which is relatively slow, voluntary, and flexible. It is thought that simple, familiar stimuli can be identified preconsciously, but conscious processing is needed to identify complex, novel stimuli. Conscious processing has also been thought to be necessary for choice, learning and memory, and the organization of complex, novel responses, particularly those requiring planning, reflection, or creativity.
date: 1991
date_type: published
publication: Behavioural and Brain Sciences
volume: 14
number: 4
publisher: Cambridge University Press
pagerange: 651-726
refereed: TRUE
citation:   Velmans, Max  (1991) Is Human Information Processing Conscious?  [Journal (Paginated)]     
document_url: http://cogprints.org/593/1/199802003.html