Are we conscious of the information we block out?

The notion that we are often unaware of the information we block out relates to the concept of selective attention and cognitive bias. Our brains are constantly bombarded with an immense amount of information, and in order to function effectively, we naturally filter this information. This filtering process is often subconscious, meaning that we do not actively recognize or acknowledge the stimuli we choose to ignore.

For example, when trying to focus on a task, such as reading or studying, it's common to block out distractions like background noise or irrelevant thoughts. This selective filtering is crucial for maintaining concentration, but it also means that we may not be fully aware of what we are overlooking. Unconscious biases and mental schemas can further influence what we pay attention to, reinforcing the idea that much of our cognitive processing occurs without our active awareness.

In certain situations, individuals may become aware of the information they block out only through reflection or prompts, but generally, a significant amount of our filtering is done without conscious thought. This distinguishes it from cases of deliberate suppression of information, which are more rare.