{"id":52470,"date":"2021-11-06T15:05:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-06T19:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/?p=52470"},"modified":"2021-11-08T13:07:53","modified_gmt":"2021-11-08T17:07:53","slug":"subconscious-mind-programming","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shortform.com\/blog\/subconscious-mind-programming\/","title":{"rendered":"Psycho-Cybernetics & Subconscious Mind Programming"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How does the subconscious<\/a> mind sabotage your behavior? Is it possible to reprogram your subconscious mind<\/a> to make yourself act in a more goal-oriented way? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Subconscious mind<\/a> programming is rooted in the assumption that your mind can be programmed\u2014just like a computer can be\u2014to think in ways that are conducive to your goals. So, if your subconscious mind is working against you (preventing you from performing the behaviors needed to achieve your goals<\/a>), you can reprogram it to be willing and able to perform those behaviors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019ll discuss two ways your subconscious mind programming<\/a> impacts how you behave: by processing feedback and influencing your subconscious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

How Your Brain Learns<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

According to Maxwell Maltz, the author of Psycho-Cybernetics<\/em>, the human brain and nervous system operate in accordance with cybernetic principles. We program our minds (often unconsciously) to achieve results in the same way that we program machines to achieve specific objectives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To be able to utilize cybernetics principles for subconscious mind programming, you must first understand how your brain learns<\/a> at the molecular level. When you learn, you change the physical structure of your brain<\/a> by strengthening specific neural pathways. Here\u2019s a very brief overview of neural pathways: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The brain consists of a dense network of pathways consisting of neurons. Synapses allow sensory information to be transmitted through this network of neurons. This sensory information is stored in your short-term memory while your brain processes it by comparing it to the memories you\u2019ve stored in your long-term memory. This process determines whether the new sensory information is kept or discarded.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Neuroscientists believe that your memory and recall rely upon the relationship that your neurons have with each other. The stronger the relationship (the more frequently these neurons interact with each other), the stronger your ability to remember and recall what you need to do. This is because strong neural pathways heighten the transmission speed of information and allow you to effortlessly recall the information you need. This is why you can perform your routine tasks<\/a> without conscious effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Every time you learn something new, you need to form new neural connections within the brain\u2014this requires conscious effort and attention. When you attempt to do something new, your brain has to work much harder because you haven\u2019t yet developed the specific neural pathways\u2014the neurons required to achieve the task haven\u2019t developed a relationship so their communication is inefficient. However, the more you practice, the more you strengthen your neural pathways and encourage the required neurons to interact and develop strong pathways.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

While cybernetic machines operate in the same way\u2014they store the correct information and processes in their hard drive and can only operate as efficiently as their memory allows (RAM determines the speed and efficiency of a computer), they benefit from not having to learn or make decisions<\/em>. Programming (coding for example) determines how they operate, and their hardware and software components determine what kind of tasks they can complete (a Dyson can\u2019t solve equations because it doesn\u2019t have the hardware or software built into it).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Your Self-Image Processes Feedback<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Maltz argues that the self-image is continually reinforced by what he calls \u201cfeedback loops\u201d\u2014how feedback reinforces learned behavior and programming\u2014and draws parallels with how cybernetic machines incorporate feedback<\/a> to operate successfully. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In this article, you’ll learn how both machines and humans<\/a> rely upon feedback loops<\/a> to \u201coperate\u201d and why your interpretation of feedback reinforces your patterns of behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Machines process feedback so that they can achieve their goal. Once they achieve the goal, they store their successful feedback (memory of successful attempts) and discard their negative feedback (memory of mistakes and failures). Their <\/strong>memory<\/em><\/strong> of successful attempts creates a feedback loop that allows them to \u201clearn\u201d quickly and operate efficiently and successfully<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, unlike a machine, humans rely on their self-images to interpret feedback<\/a> to their behavior. Your self-image decides<\/em> whether to release negative feedback so that you operate successfully <\/strong>(behave in a way that results in success), or to remember and reinforce negative feedback so that you operate inefficiently <\/strong>(behave in a way that creates failure). If your self-image decides to focus on negative feedback, this can lead to programming that causes you to reinforce negative patterns of behavior that work against what you want to achieve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Example of Unhelpful Feedback Loops<\/h5>\n\n\n\n

The following example illustrates how negative feedback loops take place to reinforce negative programming: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Bob was bullied at school and failed to receive support from his classmates, parents, or teachers. <\/li>
  2. Bob identified with feeling victimized and isolated, and these feelings contributed to his self-image and his personality. <\/li>
  3. As an adult, he finds it difficult to trust others and form close relationships, and he is overly sensitive to how others respond to him. This difficulty to connect with others<\/a> is expressed in various ways, from aloofness to hostility, but produces the same effect\u2014his behavior keeps people at a distance. <\/li>
  4. Bob reads these signals (the feedback) from others as proof that others don\u2019t want to connect with him and he remains acutely aware of how they make him feel (victimized and isolated). <\/li>
  5. He uses his interpretation and feelings as proof that he should continue to protect himself from social interactions. <\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Bob wants to connect with others<\/em> (his goal) but his self-image causes him to interpret all feedback as negative, stops him from moving towards what he wants, and perpetuates his self-isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Maltz argues that your self-image determines how you perceive your environment and how you read signals to interpret what others think of you. In other words, your self-image determines how you engage in and perceive every social interaction and experience throughout your life. Feedback loops direct your behavior: Your interpretation of your environment justifies your self-image and how you continue to act<\/strong>\u2014how you continue to act further reinforces your interpretation of your environment, and so on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    How Unconscious Biases Reinforce Feedback Loops<\/strong>

    <\/strong>While you may believe that your perceptions and reactions to your environment are entirely logical, you may be under the influence of unconscious<\/em> biases that reinforce patterns of behavior that you would rather not engage in.

    Research shows that your dominant personality traits and patterns of behavior are influenced by cognitive biases<\/a>. These biases are the result of your brain\u2019s attempt to make quick judgments based on your past experiences, and they shape the way you think about and perceive your environment.

    There are many different types of     cognitive biases<\/a>, and each of them influences your perceptions in different ways. For example, Bob\u2019s experience suggests that his behavior is influenced by Confirmation Bias<\/a>\u2014the tendency to pay more attention to the information that confirms and reinforces his opinion (people don\u2019t like him). 

    Bob doesn\u2019t want<\/em> to have this belief\u2014his past experiences led him to form this belief. However, the     confirmation bias<\/a> shapes his perception so that he can only notice and interpret interactions and experiences that reinforce this belief. As a result, Bob continues to act defensively because his bias ensures that he continues to mistrust others.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    2. Your Subconscious Mind<\/strong> Is Influenced by Your Self-Image<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Your subconscious<\/strong> mind is a reservoir of thoughts, feelings, and memories that are beneath your conscious awareness. It records and stores your every experience<\/strong>. (In contrast, your conscious<\/strong> mind contains all of the thoughts and feelings that you\u2019re aware of at any given moment.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your Subconscious Mind Is Always Awake<\/strong>

    There is still much to be learned about how the subconscious mind works<\/a>. However, neuroscientists have confirmed that 95% of your brain activity takes place beyond your conscious awareness<\/a>, in your subconscious mind<\/em>. Further, research reveals that your subconscious mind makes decisions about how you choose to feel or act before<\/em> your conscious mind even perceives the need to make a decision<\/a>. 

    In addition, your subconscious mind is always alert\u2014one of its jobs is to control your bodily functions and processes so it stays awake even while you\u2019re asleep. Even if you\u2019re not consciously aware of something happening in your environment, your subconscious mind is     paying attention<\/a> to every little detail, and recording the entire experience<\/strong>.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
    Your Self-Image Is the \u201cOperator\u201d and Your Subconscious Is the \u201cMachine\u201d <\/h5>\n\n\n\n

    Maltz argues that while you may consciously decide upon a goal, it\u2019s your subconscious mind that guides you towards achieving it. In fact, your subconscious mind is <\/strong>always<\/em><\/strong> directing you towards a goal, even if you\u2019re not aware of it<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    But how does your subconscious mind decide whether or not to pursue a goal? The answer lies with your self-image. Your self-image programs your subconscious mind to achieve goals.<\/strong> If you have a positive self-image<\/a>, your subconscious works to help you achieve your goals. If you have a negative self-image, your subconscious works to sabotage your goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n