Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The preconscious refers to thoughts and feelings that are not currently in conscious awareness, but can be readily brought into consciousness if attention is directed towards them.
This is a type of memory that is not consciously controlled. It involves skills and routine procedures that are automatically performed, much like how you can access your preconscious thoughts without much effort.
Subliminal Perception: This refers to the perception of stimuli that occurs below the threshold of conscious awareness. Like preconscious thoughts, these perceptions influence us without our explicit knowledge.
Cognitive Accessibility: This term refers to the ease with which a particular idea or concept comes to mind. Just as some photos in your gallery might be easier to find than others, some preconscious thoughts are more accessible than others.