Since concepts are formed by the integration of percepts, they also must ultimately be formed by individuals. Again we should not be misled by language. If several individuals form concepts whose meaning resides in the same set of real objects, we may (speaking loosely) say that they have formed "the same concept"—especially if they denote that concept by the same word. Nevertheless, each individual must repeat the process of mental integration in his or her own mind. Of course, an individual may be aided (or impeded) in that process by the verbal suggestions of others. Even helpful suggestions, however, do not ensure that a person will successfully perform the necessary mental integration. Ultimately, one must form the concept by one's own thinking process.

Here again we have no scientific indication that concepts can be telepathically broadcast from person to person or across society. The notion of "collective consciousness"—that the people of a nation or race share certain ideas a priori, in a manner not explainable by normal modes of communication or influence—has been extremely influential during the last two centuries, particularly in the nationalist regimes of German Nazism and Soviet Communism. Nevertheless, the notion is a myth not supported by scientific evidence.