The Difference Between Subconscious and Unconscious
Author: Darren Marks
The human mind operates on many levels, most of which are not accessible to conscious awareness and influence human behaviour.
Understanding how the subconscious and unconscious mind works can help to explain habits, emotional reactions and deeply rooted behavioural patterns. These processes often influence our thoughts, feelings and actions without us even being aware of it.
In this article we explore how the subconscious mind differs from the unconscious mind, how they function and why they matter in understanding human behaviour.
The Stages of Mind
There are in general three accepted levels of the mind:
- Consciousness awake
- Subconcious
- Subconscious mind
Consciousness is what we are aware of in a given moment . Our thoughts , our decisions , our awareness of our surroundings .
Below that is the subconscious mind where learned behaviours, memories and automatic responses exist that influence day-to-day life.
The unconscious mind is even more deep . It contains primal instincts , deeply repressed material , and automatic biological functions that happen outside of awareness .
What does the unconscious mind mean
The subconscious mind works just beneath conscious awareness and is very important in the formation of our thoughts, feelings and behaviour.
Saves:
- Recollections
- Routine
- Learned behaviour
- Connection of emotions
We don’t always know it, but our subconscious is always affecting how we react to the world around us.
What does the unconscious mind mean
The subconscious is a mighty good storage place for life experiences. These memories are the basis for beliefs, habits and emotional patterns.
Many of the daily behaviours are run automatically through the subconscious, which allows tasks to happen without conscious effort. Tasks such as driving or routine actions.
Feelings can be influenced by unconscious associations from previous experiences.
The subconscious is highly susceptible to external influences such as language, repetition and environment.
The subconscious continues to process information in the background and can contribute to sudden insights or intuitive thinking.
| Subconscious Action | Description |
|---|---|
| Automatic Behaviours | Actions like brushing your teeth or tying your laces that happen without conscious thought. |
| Feelings Based on Previous Experiences | Emotions triggered by memories or past situations, often outside of conscious control. |
| Intuitive Decision Making | Making choices quickly and instinctively, without deliberate reasoning. |
| Dreams with Daily Thought Content | Dreams that incorporate material from recent thoughts or experiences. |
| Lapsus Linguae | ‘Slips of the tongue’ where unconscious thoughts influence speech. |
| Body Language and Non-Verbal Signals | Gestures, posture, and expressions that communicate feelings unconsciously. |
What does the unconscious mind mean
The unconscious mind is the deepest level of mental processing, and is not directly accessible to awareness.
Includes:
- Basic instincts
- Blocked memories
- Automatic survival functions
The unconscious is more obscure than the subconscious and, more often than not, has to be explored indirectly through therapeutic techniques.
How the Unconscious Operates
It controls the fight or flight responses and other involuntary biological functions of the body .
Some painful emotional experiences may be stored in the unconscious and may still affect behaviour indirectly.
The unconscious speaks in dreams, symbols and indirect behaviour.
Psychological defence strategies such as repression or denial may operate unconsciously to protect emotional stability.
Sometimes psychological defence strategies like repression or denial are at play to protect emotional stability and these may work unconsciously.
Behavioural Manipulation
Unconscious processes can influence decisions, emotional reactions and patterns of behaviour with other people, even if we don’t realise it.
Examples of Unconscious Action:
- Freudian slips.
- Defence mechanisms such as denial or projection.
- Phobias related to deep associations
- Breathing and other involuntary physical functions
- Emotional reactions, no rational reason
- Dreaming activity..
Major Differences Between Subconscious and Unconscious
Both the subconscious and unconscious operate beyond conscious awareness, but they differ in depth and function.
Much of the subconscious mind is responsible for habits, learned behaviours and emotional conditioning. It also stores memory which impacts on daily life.
The unconscious mind works on a deeper level, dealing with instincts, survival responses and repressed emotional material.
Both are important in shaping behaviour and therapeutic approaches such as hypnotherapy often aim to work with these deeper layers to support positive change and emotional balance.
Frequently asked questions FAQs
Sleep is mostly an unconscious state but some phases may see subconscious events like dreaming take place.
Dreams can include not only unconscious, but even subconscious processes, such as thoughts, feelings, and more complex symbolic material.
Breathing is both. It is an automatic (unconscious) process but it can be controlled on a conscious level when it is necessary.
Author Bio
Darren Marks is a UK-based clinical hypnotherapist with over 20 years of experience in subconscious mind work, emotional wellbeing, and behavioural change.
His approach focuses on helping individuals understand and work with deeper mental processes to support lasting personal transformation.
He has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, Daily Mail, Sky, BBC Radio, Channel 4, and Discovery Channel, and is referenced in Therapy Today for his work in relaxation-based hypnotherapy.
Through the Harmony Hypnosis App, his guided sessions are available in a simple and accessible format designed for everyday use.
