conscious mind

Meanings

1. 1nounusually singulartechnical

   The part of the mind that holds thoughts and feelings you are aware of at a given moment.

   Grammar: Often used with 'the': the conscious mind. It is usually singular, not plural.

   Patterns

   • the conscious mind
   • in the conscious mind

   Freud argued that the conscious mind is only a small part of mental life.

   The conscious mind can focus on only a few things at once.

   Meditation aims to calm the conscious mind and reduce mental noise.

2. 2nounusually singulartechnical

   A person's ordinary waking awareness, as opposed to automatic or hidden mental processes.

   Grammar: Used in general writing about psychology; contrast with 'the unconscious mind'.

   Patterns

   • the conscious mind versus the unconscious
   • reach the conscious mind

   The advertisement works below the level of the conscious mind.

   Some memories never reach the conscious mind.

Common combinations

the conscious mind

The conscious mind processes only a small amount of information.

conscious mind and unconscious mind

Psychologists often contrast the conscious mind and the unconscious mind.

the human conscious mind

The human conscious mind is surprisingly limited.

a level of the conscious mind

The message operates at a level below the conscious mind.

Synonyms and how they differ

awareness

Awareness is broader and does not suggest a separate part of the mind.

consciousness

Consciousness means the state of being awake and aware; the conscious mind refers to the mental contents themselves.

Opposites

Word family

conscious adjective

Awake and aware of what is happening.

consciously adverb

In a deliberate, aware way.

consciousness noun

The state of being conscious.

Commonly confused: conscious mind or conscience?

Practice

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