Conscious versus Nonconscious Mind and Leisure

Abstract

Why do we do what we do? This article reviews research on nonconscious and conscious processes and reveals the dominant role of the nonconscious mind in human behavior in general and in leisure behavior in particular. Neural preparation for voluntary action starts well before a conscious intention to act. The nonconscious is the default system, and it seeks to avoid any kind of straining activity. Much of human behavior (e.g., TV watching) is driven by stimulus cues in the environment, and people struggle with choosing demanding cognitive and physical leisure activities. Occasionally, though, the conscious mind intervenes and overrides the default system resulting in engagement in activities that increase neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. The task is difficult, however, as the nonconscious mind operates best in the freedom of leisure where the triggering of explanations and excuses for not doing demanding activities is most likely. The struggle is further compounded when people typically use up their finite self-control resources at work, thus leaving little or nothing of these for resisting participation in less demanding and potentially less beneficial leisure. Ironically, freedom in leisure, which is supposed to be a good thing, poses two major problems: (1) the nonconscious effect, when it facilitates the acceptance of excuses for not doing demanding activities, and (2) the conscious effect, when “should-do” leisure activities (e.g., exercise) stir up reactance and conscious resistance to a possible loss of freedom. As a result, freedom in leisure undermines, consciously and nonconsciously, one's initiative for self-development activities when it, in theory, would be expected to promote involvement in various kinds of self- and health-enhancing activities.

Keywords:

• conscious-nonconscious processes
• ego depletion
• freedom
• leisure
• self-control