The Process of Becoming Aware of a Meaning in the Light
of the Positive and Negative Choice Conception as a Way
to Resolve Some Inconsistencies in Models Based
on the Activation Hypothesis Approach

O. I. Pilatova

List of issues > Series «Psychology». 2022. Vol 42

The Process of Becoming Aware of a Meaning in the Light of the Positive and Negative Choice Conception as a Way to Resolve Some Inconsistencies in Models Based on the Activation Hypothesis Approach

Author(s)

O. I. Pilatova

Abstract

Studies indicate that before some meaning of the incoming information has been cognized, many other possible interpretations are actualized but not cognized. Most models describing this process are based on the activation metaphor and the idea of cognitive threshold: activation of the meaning related to the context intensifies, while other meanings are deactivated and do not overcome the threshold. When summarizing findings of the experiments relevant to this issue, however, there are some inconsistencies logically conflicting with this mechanism. The article presents an alternative approach to understanding this process, according to which unconscious meanings retain their actualization after everything that occurs is cognized as well. They are actively kept from being cognized ensuring this way coherence of the context being cognized and specifying chosen meanings

About the Authors

Pilatova Olga Igorevna, Postgraduate, General Psychology Department, Faculty of Psychology, Research Assistant, Saint Petersburg State University, 7-9, Universitetskaya еmb., St. Petersburg, 199034, Russian Federation, e-mail: o.pilatova@spbu.ru

For citation

Pilatova O.I. The Process of Becoming Aware of a Meaning in the Light of the Positive and Negative Choice Conception as a Way to Resolve Some Inconsistencies in Models Based on the Activation Hypothesis Approach. The Bulletin of Irkutsk State University. Series Psychology, 2022, vol. 42, pp. 63-75. https://doi.org/10.26516/2304-1226.2022.42.63 (in Russian)

Keywords

cognition, negative choice, unconscious processes, negative priming effect, choice of meaning.

UDC

159.95

DOI

https://doi.org/10.26516/2304-1226.2022.42.63

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List of issues > Series «Psychology». 2022. Vol 42

The Process of Becoming Aware of a Meaning in the Light of the Positive and Negative Choice Conception as a Way to Resolve Some Inconsistencies in Models Based on the Activation Hypothesis Approach

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