Awareness versus Consciousness

Abstract

An attempt is made to differentiate between awareness and consciousness. The author proposes to conceive of awareness as a cathexis that, depending upon the state of the organism, is attached in varying degrees to the conscious, the preconscious and the unconscious processes. In the waking state, what is conscious is in awareness. In sleep or narcosis a person is unconscious, but when he dreams he perceives with awareness the imagery he produces. In deep hypnotic trance, consciousness is minimal and unconscious ego and id functions drift into the light of awareness.