The Uneasy Relationship Between Conscious and Non-Conscious Motivation

Abstract We all want to believe that we are in control of our decisions and behaviors, but psychologists have long understood that non-conscious processes have a strong influence on our behavior. As we learn more about how the brain works, we gain a better understanding about how unconscious neural processes often motivate our behavior. This essay explores how these two different kinds of motivation—conscious and non-conscious—work together to affect our behavior and our explanations for our behavior. Conscious constructs like goals, beliefs, and attitudes sometimes complement neural process to motivate behavior. At other times, conscious and non-conscious processes contradict each other (e.g., some addictive behaviors). Awareness of non-conscious processes allows for greater understanding and control over our behavior.