The conscious access hypothesis: Explaining the consciousness.
Indian Journal of Psychiatry 2008 DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.39752 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Computation Conscious access Global workspace Information processing Neurobiology Quantum consciousness |
| Key findings | The conscious access hypothesis, based on the global workspace model, emphasizes the global access of information in the cerebral cortex as a key property of consciousness. |
Abstract
The phenomenon of conscious awareness or consciousness is complicated but fascinating. Although this concept has intrigued the mankind since antiquity, exploration of consciousness from scientific perspectives is not very old. Among myriad of theories regarding nature, functions and mechanism of consciousness, off late, cognitive theories have received wider acceptance. One of the most exciting hypotheses in recent times has been the "conscious access hypotheses" based on the "global workspace model of consciousness". It underscores an important property of consciousness, the global access of information in cerebral cortex. Present article reviews the "conscious access hypothesis" in terms of its theoretical underpinnings as well as experimental supports it has received.