Unconscious in Psychology

The concept of the unconscious in psychology (or unconscious mind) summarizes the complexity of the dynamics that characterize most of human’s mental functioning. Since the paradigmatic revolution of the late nineteenth century, questions such as how the unconscious world is structured, how it influences cognition, emotion, motivation, and behaviors have pushed theoretical reflections and scientific research forward, always suggesting new reinterpretations of the concept itself. In particular, its impact on psychotherapy fostered the creation of different models and conceptualizations for treatment about the dynamics of the therapeutic relationship and the individual’s mental functioning. Focusing on the realm of the unconscious mind inevitably opens the gates to the possible, encouraging the formulation of new vocabularies and taxonomies. This contribution offers a definition and a historical framework for the idea of the unconscious in the field of psychology. Then, from a brief review of the leading scientific research questions related to this concept, it reflects on the implications for clinical work and its associations with the possible in the therapeutic relationship. Insight and “aha” moments, creativity, nonlinear dynamics, and approaches that combine the advancements of neuroscience and psychoanalytical contributions are just some of the theoretical and applicative branches that boldly ventured to “think the unthinkable.”