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NP 2(2):287 (2000)

Ann Arbor (University of Michigan: Program of Research on Unconscious Processes)

Author: Howard Shevrin PhD

Abstract

Our research group here at the University of Michigan continues investigations along three avenues: (1) unconscious affect, (2) primary process thinking and the unconscious, (3) personality dimensions (defensive processes) as factors in subliminal perception.

Affect studies: We have just completed collecting data on a systematic replication of our first affect study, which will appear in the International Journal of Psychophysiology. In this new study, we are combining affect meaning, physiological arousal, and expressive signs, the three dimensions of an affect (but lacking consciousness), which we have previously investigated in separate experiments. We have also recently completed the data analysis of our first anesthesia study in which we have found for the first time brain evidence in the form of theta synchronization for the unconscious formation of memories during deep anesthesia. Theta synchronization has been found to be associated with the formation of declarative memories. The finding thus has important theoretical implications insofar as declarative memories have been thought to require consciousness to form and to be retrieved. We have also completed a third subliminal aversive conditioning experiment in which we have replicated previous findings and extended them to words. The results from this experiment support the existence of unconscious affect as well as providing further evidence for the unconscious formation of declarative memories.
Primary process thinking and the unconscious: Our first article in these areas has just recently appeared in the International Journal of Psycho-Analysis. We have been able to show that the tendency toward attributional categorization is strongest when stimuli are presented subliminally, while relational categorization predominates supraliminally. The results thus far are suggestive but not yet definitive. Dr. Linda Brakel has also been collecting data across the life span and has discovered that the change from attri

NP 2(2):287 (2000)

Ann Arbor (University of Michigan: Program of Research on Unconscious Processes)

Author: Howard Shevrin PhD

Abstract

Affect studies: We have just completed collecting data on a systematic replication of our first affect study, which will appear in the International Journal of Psychophysiology. In this new study, we are combining affect meaning, physiological arousal, and expressive signs, the three dimensions of an affect (but lacking consciousness), which we have previously investigated in separate experiments. We have also recently completed the data analysis of our first anesthesia study in which we have found for the first time brain evidence in the form of theta synchronization for the unconscious formation of memories during deep anesthesia. Theta synchronization has been found to be associated with the formation of declarative memories. The finding thus has important theoretical implications insofar as declarative memories have been thought to require consciousness to form and to be retrieved. We have also completed a third subliminal aversive conditioning experiment in which we have replicated previous findings and extended them to words. The results from this experiment support the existence of unconscious affect as well as providing further evidence for the unconscious formation of declarative memories.
Primary process thinking and the unconscious: Our first article in these areas has just recently appeared in the International Journal of Psycho-Analysis. We have been able to show that the tendency toward attributional categorization is strongest when stimuli are presented subliminally, while relational categorization predominates supraliminally. The results thus far are suggestive but not yet definitive. Dr. Linda Brakel has also been collecting data across the life span and has discovered that the change from attri