Unconscious Detection but Not Resolution of Cognitive Conflicts Occurs and Influences Conscious Control.
Psychophysiology May 1, 2025 Qin Huang, Anmin Li 1 citation
Unconscious processing plays a significant role in cognitive control, affecting how we resolve conflicts. In two experiments involving 60 participants, subliminal Stroop primes influenced brain activity, specifically showing Stroop effects on N450 amplitudes. Participants exhibited slower reaction times when previously exposed to conflicting primes, indicating that early unconscious conflict detection impacts conscious decision-making. However, there was no evidence supporting unconscious conflict resolution. These findings underscore the complexities of cognitive control and the neural mechanisms involved in managing conflicts without conscious awareness.