Which term best describes the awareness that results from waking consciousness?

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Get ready for the UCF PSY2012 General Psychology Exam. Practice with hints and explanations to improve your understanding. Master your exam preparation today!

The best term to describe the awareness that results from waking consciousness is consciousness. Consciousness refers to the state of being aware of and able to think about one's own existence, thoughts, surroundings, and experiences. It encompasses the complete range of awareness that occurs when one is awake and alert, reflecting the active engagement with the environment and internal thoughts.

While awareness can be described broadly, it is underpinned by consciousness, which includes not only awareness of external stimuli but also the internal cognitive processes that define waking experiences. In contrast, the subconscious pertains to thoughts and processes that are not currently in conscious awareness but can influence behavior, while the preconscious includes information that is not actively in the forefront of awareness but can be readily accessed with thought. Thus, the term consciousnesscaptures the essence of waking awareness more comprehensively.