How sustainable are different levels of consciousness?
arXiv Preprint Archive May 12, 2017 Erik J Wiersma
The Global Workspace theory distinguishes conscious processing, which broadcasts information across brain regions, from subconscious processing, which remains localized. This theoretical paper extends that framework by proposing how the properties of incoming information determine whether it is processed consciously or subconsciously, and why processing can be sustained or short-lived. Familiar input that does not elicit intense emotions is processed subconsciously and can be sustained continuously. Input that triggers relatively intense emotions undergoes highly sustainable conscious processing. Input may also undergo meta-conscious processing, which is not very sustainable but can exert control over other cognitive processes. The paper discusses possible benefits of this regulatory arrangement.