An Evolutionary-Psychodynamic Model of the Main States of Consciousness
Imagination, Cognition and Personality June 1, 1993 DOI: 10.2190/8nmv-n62e-x6b2-md7k (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Proposes a terminological order for consciousness, awareness, self-consciousness, and self-unconsciousness, and an evolutionary model of states of consciousness based on Freud's structural model. Argues that the model's levels of psychical organization can integrate data from different approaches by describing anatomical, cognitive, emotional, decisional, and social dimensions. |
Abstract
This article presents a model, created on the basis of Freud's model of “structural relations of mental personality”, and also an evolutionary model of the main states of consciousness [1–4]. A terminological order is proposed to promote the consistent understanding of such notions as: consciousness, awareness, self-consciousness, and self-unconsciousness. The final version of the evolutionary model constitutes the framework for integration of the variety of data coming from different approaches. Taking into consideration the previous version of the model, the main levels of psychical organization are described in terms of their anatomical localization, typical mechanisms of cognition, emotion, and decision making [2]. These levels are also characterized in terms of psychological needs, ways of experiencing values, morality regulating mechanisms, typical interpersonal and group relations [3].