States of Consciousness
What is Consciousness?
Consciousness is a nebulous concept that has no one widely accepted definition. To be conscious is a question of linguistics, philosophy, and neuroscience; yet there is no consensus on whether consciousness is a scientific concept at all.
Consciousness is an ambiguous term; it can refer to the waking state, experience, or being capable of any mental state[1]. More specifically, it is being aware of something internal to oneself, or of objects in one's external environment[2]. Consciousness has an ever-growing definition, where it once only referred to one's own inner life; what goes on within someone's mind. It now includes various forms of cognition, experience, feeling, perception, awareness, self-awareness, and metacognition[3].
States of Being
This is expanded upon from an infographic made by Semiplural on tumblr[4]. There are many ways a system member may manifest within the mind. Not only are these fronting styles, but also ways to describe those who are not fronting, but have a presence.
Conscious
Co-Conscious
Unconscious
Full Control
Shared Control
Partial Control
Split Control
Blurred Control
Unidentified
Observing
Nearby
Distant
Remote
Asleep
Absent
Blocked
Dormant
Citations
- Zeman, Adam. “Brain | Volume 124, Issue 7.” Oxford Academic, 1 July 2001, doi.org/10.1093/brain/124.7.1263. Accessed 26 May 2026.
- Merriam-Webster. “Consciousness.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/consciousness. Accessed 26 May 2026.
- Wikipedia Contributors. “Consciousness.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 18 May 2026, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Consciousness. Accessed 26 May 2026
- Semiplural. "States of Being." Tumblr, Semiplural, 28 Nov. 2025. https://www.tumblr.com/redbishopcouncil/801614559703089152/. Accessed 26 May 2026.
- Stronghold. “Co-Consciousness and Co-Fronting.” Power To The Plurals, The Plural Association, 5 May 2026, powertotheplurals.com/co-consciousness-co-fronting-did101/. Accessed 26 May 2026.