Skip to main content

Unconscious and Conscious Learning

  • Reference work entry

Synonyms

Implicit learning; Incidental learning; Tacit knowledge

Definition

Unconscious learning is both used as a process and as an outcome variable. It is a way of learning in which people do not realize that activities they are undertaking or processes they are involved in can or will lead to changes in knowledge, skills, attitudes, and/or learning ability, and/or an outcome of which people are not aware. Thus there are four possibilities: unconscious process with unconscious outcomes, unconscious process with conscious outcomes, conscious process with unconscious outcomes, and conscious process with conscious outcomes. Unconscious processing refers to an automatic process characterized by four features: it is unintentional (the individual does not start the process by an act of will), occurs outside awareness, is uncontrollable (the individual cannot stop it once it has started), and is efficient or consumes minimal attentional resources. Unconscious outcomes refer to knowledge,...

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution.

Buying options

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD   3,400.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD   2,999.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Learn about institutional subscriptions

References

  • Doornbos, A. J. (2006). Learning at work in police organizations (Doctoral dissertation, University of Nijmegen, 2006).

    Google Scholar 

  • Engeström, Y. (1999). Innovative learning in work teams: Analyzing cycles of knowledge creation in practice. In Y. Engeström, R. Miettinen, & R. Punamaki (Eds.), Perspectives on activity theory (pp. 377–404). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eraut, M. R. (2000). Non-formal learning and tacit knowledge in professional work. Britisch Journal of Educational Psychology, 70, 113–136.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gallwey, W. T. (2002). The inner game of work: Overcoming mental obstacles for maximum performance. New York/London: Texere.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kuhl, J., & Kraska, K. (1989). Self-regulation and metamotivation: Conceptual mechanisms, development, and assesment. In R. Kanjer, P. L. Ackerman, & R. Cudeck (Eds.), Abilities, motivation, and methodology (pp. 343–368). Hilssdale: Lawrence Erlbaum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Levy, D. A., Collins, B. E., & Nail, P. R. (1999). A new model of interpersonal influence characterisitics. Journal of social behavior and personality, 13(4), 715–733.

    Google Scholar 

  • Nonaka, I., & Takeuchi, H. (1997). De kenniscreerende onderneming. [The knowledge creating company] (T. H. J. Tromp, Trans.). Schiedam: Scriptum.

    Google Scholar 

  • Van Parreren, C. F., & Carpay, J. A. M. (1980). Sowjetpsychologen over onderwijs en cognitieve ontwikkeling. [Sovjet psychologisits about education and cognitive development]. Groningen: Wolters-Noordhoff.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wenger, E. (1998). Communities of practice. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert-Jan P. Simons .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2012 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC

About this entry

Cite this entry

Simons, RJ.P. (2012). Unconscious and Conscious Learning. In: Seel, N.M. (eds) Encyclopedia of the Sciences of Learning. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_1077

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4419-1428-6_1077

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4419-1427-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4419-1428-6

  • eBook Packages: Humanities, Social Sciences and Law

Publish with us

Policies and ethics