The unconscious mind: From classical theoretical controversy to controversial contemporary research and a practical illustration of the "error of our ways"

Abstract

In this manuscript, the authors present an overview of the history, an account of the theoretical and methodological controversy, and an illustration of contemporary and revised methods for the exploration of unconscious processing. Initially we discuss historical approaches relating to unconsciousness that are, arguably, defamed and considered extraneous to contemporary psychological research. We support that awareness of the history of the current subject is pedagogically essential to understand the transition to empirical research and the reasons for which the current area is still so contentious among contemporary psychologists. We proceed to explore the current experimental canon. Contemporary theoretical and methodological issues relating to unconscious processing are discussed in detail and key issues and key advancements in contemporary research are presented. Developments that have, in recent years, being suggested to contribute to a possibly reliable method for the assessment of unconscious processing are practically - methodologically and statistically - illustrated using easy-to-follow steps applied in real experimental data. Mindful of our own place in the long history of this topic, we conclude the manuscript with suggestions concerning the future of the current area.

Keywords: Emotion; Error; Methodology; Unconscious.