| The proposition that mental processes can be carried out unconsciously or outside of conscious awareness is widely accepted by Psychodynamic, Cognitive, and Experimental Psychologists (Kihlstrom, 1987) as well as by Transpersonal (Grof, 1993) and Parapsychological researchers (Bern, 1996; Tart, 1993). However, a closer examination into these theoretical positions reveals an array of discrepant viewpoints maintained by seemingly dogmatic beliefs. The purpose of this dissertation was to investigate the nature of unconscious mental processes - across prominent theoretical domains including relevant scientific research - with emphasis placed on its association with health and well-being and adaptation to the environment. This dissertation also examined whether individuals with permissive mental boundaries (i.e., transliminality) are be able to better respond to change in the environment and show greater flexibility and potential for well-being than those with more rigid-inflexible mental boundaries.;It was hypothesized that the nature of unconscious mental processes is inherently adaptive by promoting (a) health and well-being, and (b) greater adaptation to the environment. Person's with thin mental boundaries (i.e., high in transliminality) were expected to correctly identify subliminal stimuli, demonstrated greater intuitive accuracy, and be associated with higher levels of well-being than those with think mental boundaries (i.e., low transliminality). Boundary thinness was assessed using a self-report measure of transliminality. Belief in paranormal (Sheep-Goat) was also incorporated. Several subliminal tasks were used to assess the extent to which UMP are universal and aid in adaptively responding to the environment. Random number sequencing tasks were used as a means of assessing intuition.;The hypotheses were partially supported. Participants were able to detect subliminal stimuli at a rate significantly greater than chance and on several intuition tasks. Higher levels of transliminality and belief in the paranormal (Sheep) did not significantly effect subliminal and intuition task performance. Similarly, transliminality was not associated with overall health and well-being. Post hoc analysis identified age as being a significant factor in determining subliminal task performance. Higher levels of cognitive flexibility significantly effected non-local intuition tasks. Limitations to this study, future directions, and conclusions are discussed. |
