Implicit Processes are Dynamic and Interactive

Abstract

Can the implicit level of mind execute only simple sensory/cognitive functions? And is the bottleneck to consciousness single, or multi-gated? These questions are elusive, especially considering examples such as implicit semantic priming, and implicit stroop effect (Hung talk in this symposium). I will aim for taxonomy and integration of related findings including my own, to have a clearer overview. First, there are multiple definitions of implicit processing on top of "subliminal", as exemplified in causal misattribution in action (Wu talk), and attention vs. consciousness (Tsuchiya talk). Second, the implicit/ explicit distinction will NOT map onto the lower-/higher-levels of cognitive function (Hung talk). Rather, there are multiple gates to consciousness as indicated in the binocular rivalry debate (80s, up to now), and also quick interplays between implicit and explicit processes. Third, the implicit process may be dynamic spreading over time, operating predictively and postdictively. Auditory-visual "rabbit" effect would be a great example where implicit postdictive process leads to a conscious percept (Shimojo talk). The implicit process is also based on separate dynamic sampling frequencies. Some evidence comes from interpersonal bodily and neural synchrony (Shimojo talk), and dependence of perceptual changes upon allocation of attention relying on different temporal frequencies (Tsuchiya talk). Thus all together, we may need to abandon several simplistic ideas of implicit processes, and rather take a more dynamic and interactive view.

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