It seems to me that the structure of the conscious mind has some strong similarities to the way our visual field functions. The visual field has a strong and detailedfocus at the center, and this is what generally commands our attention,while at the same time the visual resolution decreases outward from thatcenter and its content occupies less of our attention, to the point thatour peripheral vision will alert us to movements but has little to dowith what we are recognizing consciously.This is similar to the way we think. We have a central focus,which is the conscious thought, but that object of thought has manyassociations or links to other thought objects, and they form a ringaround the focus, just out of view (ie. in the immediate unconsciouszone). Those primary associations also have their own associationsthat form a secondary ring, deeper into the unconscious, with furtherrings extending outward representing decreasing levels of actionpotential.It makes sense to me that the conscious mind would be patterned on thefunctional model of the visual field which is much older and morefundamental.Thus, my question: Does the structure of consciousness mimic that of the visual process?
Does the structure of consciousness mimic that of the visual process?
cognitive psychology;vision;consciousness