The unconscious as information processing and its importance for modern clinical psychology

Journal/Book: Z Psychol. 1997; 205: Im Weiher 10, D-69121 Heidelberg, Germany. Johann Ambrosius Barth Verlag. 327-356.

Abstract: Recent research efforts of unconscious (implicit, automatic) processes have gone largely unnoticed in the German-speaking clinical psychology. It is the aim of this article to give a review of results and problems regarding this research. The focus shall be a commenting collection of available findings on hand for clinical psychology. Methods to examine unconscious information processing are described. Identification-, interference-, conditioning-and process-dissociation methods are differentiated. Of the numerous factors influencing unconscious processes, stimuli characteristics are discussed first. In particular stimulus modalities, distracter effects and the personal relevance of stimuli will be looked at in detail. Then the influence of relevant dispositional characteristics of behavior for the unconscious processes are considered. Here, the relevance of mood, stress and anxiety will be emphasized. The significance of disorder-specific characteristics on unconscious information processing is discussed. In this context obsessive-compulsive, depressive and anxiety disorders are examined in particular. An outlook is made considering the research results and the validity of their underlying design paradigm. Research desiderata and possible applications are pointed out.

Note: Review Scholz OB, Univ Bonn, Inst Psychol, Klin & Angew Psychol, Romerstr 164, D-53117 Bonn, GERMANY

Keyword(s): unconsciousness; implicit information processing; anxiety disorders; depression; research methods; AUDITORY SUBLIMINAL STIMULATION; BIASED COGNITIVE OPERATIONS; MOOD-CONGRUENT MEMORY; ATTENTIONAL BIAS; EMOTIONAL INFORMATION; ANXIETY-STATES; IMPLICIT MEMORY; THREAT CUES; EXPLICIT MEMORY; DEPRESSED MOOD

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