选择性注意对无意识加工的调节作用及潜在机制

Modulation Effect and Potential Mechanisms of Selective Attention on Unconscious Processing

意识和无意识经常被看作是动态转换的一体两面,理解意识与无意识相互转换的认知神经机制是当今科学的重大挑战。注意在这个转换过程中发挥关键作用。但是,过往研究主要关注注意对意识的影响,而注意对无意识过程的影响长久以来被忽略了。一个曾比较流行的观点认为无意识加工过程是自动化的,不受注意的调节。然而,该观点近来被逐渐抛弃。在视觉传递通路中,注意可以调节源眼信息、朝向信息的无意识加工过程;在语义系统中,注意能自上而下地增强目标关联性强的,并抑制目标关联性弱的无意识语义过程;在情绪系统中,除了目标关联性之外,由注意负荷操纵的注意供给水平也能调节意识下的情绪加工过程。这些研究有助于更充分理解注意与意识的关系。综合来看,注意既可能是产生意识的必要条件,也可能是(某些)无意识加工的必要条件。未来应深入研究注意调节无意识过程的认知和神经机制,尤其是这些机制在不同注意类型和不同感觉通道间的共性和个性。

Consciousness and unconsciousness represent a compelling topic in psychology and neuroscience,embodying a dynamic interplay between two fundamental cognitive states.Understanding the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying their interaction poses a significant challenge.While previous studies have predominantly focused on the impact of attention on consciousness,the influence of attention on unconscious processes has often been overlooked.However,the role of attention in modulating unconscious information processing is paramount,as it can regulate various aspects of unconscious visual processing,including simple visual information,semantic content,and emotional stimuli.Within the visual processing pathway,attention operates at early levels to modulate unconscious visual processing,starting at least from the eye-of-origin and visual orientations.In the semantic system,attention can top-down enhance unconscious semantic processes in a goal-dependent manner,enhancing goal-relevant processes while suppressing goal-irrelevant ones.In the emotional system,attentional load,in addition to target relevance,can regulate unconscious emotional processing.These findings suggest that the regulatory role of attention on unconscious processes depends on both goal relevance and the amount of attentional resources.Specifically,the goal-relevance of unconscious processes determines the direction of attentional modulation,while the amount of attentional resources allocated determines the extent of modulation.The once-prevailing notion that unconscious processing is automatic and not subject to attentional modulation has been gradually overturned.Current studies indicate that attention can modulate both conscious and unconscious processes,providing a new perspective on the relationship between attention and consciousness.Spatial attention can operate independently from consciousness at the neural representation level.Furthermore,other factors tightly related to attention,such as goal-related task sets,working memory,and attentional load,can all impact unconscious processes.These findings collectively suggest that attention and consciousness are functionally dissociated,supporting the idea that attention is necessary for both conscious and some unconscious processes.In conclusion,unconscious information processing is a complex and intriguing field where attention plays a crucial role.Continued in-depth research in this area is needed to deepen our understanding of how the human brain processes unconscious information and how attention exerts its regulatory influence.This not only requires studying the commonalities and specificities of different types of attention but also examining the sharing and individuality among different sensory modalities and cognitive modules.Theoretically,this not only helps us understand the mechanisms of attention but also sheds light on the mechanisms of consciousness.Studying these issues is also of practical value.Importantly,the organization and regulation of unconscious processes are closely related to human survival and development.For example,while rapid unconscious emotional processes(such as unconscious fear)are beneficial for rapid threat responses and increased survival chances,excessive and uncontrolled unconscious emotional processes can lead to anxiety disorders,phobias,and other mental disorders.Furthermore,while repeated perceptual and behavioral training can improve efficiency by forming highly automated unconscious processes,excessively stubborn unconscious processes can hinder the learning of new skills.Studying the role of attention in regulating these unconscious processes can help develop new intervention methods to maintain mental health and improve behavioral performance.