 |
|
Key to subliminal messaging is to keep it negative, study shows
September 28, 2009Subliminal messaging is most effective when the message being conveyed is negative, according to new research funded by the Wellcome Trust.
Subliminal images - in other words, images shown so briefly that the viewer does not consciously 'see' them - have long been the subject of controversy, particularly in the area of advertising. Previous studies have already hinted that people can unconsciously pick up on subliminal information intended to provoke an emotional response, but limitations in the design of the studies have meant that the conclusions were ambiguous.
Today, the journal Emotion publishes a study by a UCL team led by Professor Nilli Lavie, which provides evidence that people are able to process emotional information from subliminal images and demonstrates conclusively that even under such conditions, information of negative value is better detected than information of positive value.
In the study, Professor Lavie and colleagues showed fifty participants a series of words on a computer screen. Each word appeared on-screen for only a fraction of second - at times only a fiftieth of a second, much too fast for the participants to consciously read the word. The words were either positive (e.g. cheerful, flower and peace), negative (e.g. agony, despair and murder) or neutral (e.g. box, ear or kettle). After each word, participants were asked to choose whether the word was neutral or 'emotional' (i.e. positive or negative), and how confident they were of their decision.
The researchers found that the participants answered most accurately when responding to negative words - even when they believed they were merely guessing the answer.
"There has been much speculation about whether people can process emotional information unconsciously, for example pictures, faces and words," says Professor Lavie. "We have shown that people can perceive the emotional value of subliminal messages and have demonstrated conclusively that people are much more attuned to negative words.
"Clearly, there are evolutionary advantages to responding rapidly to emotional information. We can't wait for our consciousness to kick in if we see someone running towards us with a knife or if we drive under rainy or foggy weather conditions and see a sign warning 'danger'."
Professor Lavie believes the research may have implications for the use of subliminal marketing to convey messages, both for advertising and public service announcements such as safety campaigns.
"Negative words may have more of a rapid impact," she explains. "'Kill your speed' should be more noticeable than 'Slow down'. More controversially, highlighting a competitor's negative qualities may work on a subliminal level much more effectively than shouting about your own selling points."
Subliminal advertising is not permitted on TV in the UK, according the broadcasting regulator Ofcom*. However, there have been a number of cases where the rules been stretched. In one particularly infamous case in 1997, comedian Chris Morris used a half-frame caption at the end of the satirical show Brass Eye to criticise the chief executive of Channel 4, Michael Grade, for heavily editing the controversial programme. The description of his boss - "Grade is a ****" - would certainly have fallen into the category of negative words as described in Professor Lavie's research.
Wellcome Trust
In the study, Professor Lavie and colleagues showed fifty participants a series of words on a computer screen. Each word appeared on-screen for only a fraction of second - at times only a fiftieth of a second, much too fast for the participants to consciously read the word. The words were either positive (e.g. cheerful, flower and peace), negative (e.g. agony, despair and murder) or neutral (e.g. box, ear or kettle). After each word, participants were asked to choose whether the word was neutral or 'emotional' (i.e. positive or negative), and how confident they were of their decision.
The researchers found that the participants answered most accurately when responding to negative words - even when they believed they were merely guessing the answer.
"There has been much speculation about whether people can process emotional information unconsciously, for example pictures, faces and words," says Professor Lavie. "We have shown that people can perceive the emotional value of subliminal messages and have demonstrated conclusively that people are much more attuned to negative words.
"Clearly, there are evolutionary advantages to responding rapidly to emotional information. We can't wait for our consciousness to kick in if we see someone running towards us with a knife or if we drive under rainy or foggy weather conditions and see a sign warning 'danger'."
Professor Lavie believes the research may have implications for the use of subliminal marketing to convey messages, both for advertising and public service announcements such as safety campaigns.
"Negative words may have more of a rapid impact," she explains. "'Kill your speed' should be more noticeable than 'Slow down'. More controversially, highlighting a competitor's negative qualities may work on a subliminal level much more effectively than shouting about your own selling points."
Subliminal advertising is not permitted on TV in the UK, according the broadcasting regulator Ofcom*. However, there have been a number of cases where the rules been stretched. In one particularly infamous case in 1997, comedian Chris Morris used a half-frame caption at the end of the satirical show Brass Eye to criticise the chief executive of Channel 4, Michael Grade, for heavily editing the controversial programme. The description of his boss - "Grade is a ****" - would certainly have fallen into the category of negative words as described in Professor Lavie's research.
Wellcome Trust
More Subliminal Messaging Current Events and Subliminal Messaging News Articles
 |
Subliminal Messaging Cyrus The Virus (Primary Contributor) |
 |
MythBusters ~ Mind Control Join Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman as they debunk, decode and demystify pop culture's most baffling urban myths and legends. Using modern-day science, they put each myth to the test, separating the real from the really out there. Adam and Jamie do a little "interior detonating" when they try to replicate a home improvement myth that involves a gallon of paint and a dash of dynamite. Later, Grant, Tory and Kari put their heads together to see if it's really possible to control someone's mind. Using a mix of silent sound, subliminal messaging, electronic hypnosis, rotating magnets and pulsed air machines, they attempt to remove Jamie's beret. |
 |
Subliminal Persuasion: Influence & Marketing Secrets They Don't Want You To Know by Dave Lakhani (Author) If you?re an entrepreneur, salesperson, advertiser, or business owner, understanding the art of subliminal persuasion will give your bottom line a big boost. In Subliminal Persuasion, master marketer Dave Lakhani reveals in step-by-step detail the exact techniques that really work in persuading and influencing others. It?s not about lying or tricking anyone, it?s about know what will appeal to people and how communicate that appeal effectively, profitably, and ethically. This is marketing that really convinces. |
 |
Subliminal CD Increase Your Attention Span by Sprudio Huh? In these times of instant gratification, sometimes it can be difficult to remain focused long enough to get the whole message. Or maybe this is just your way. You can increase your attention span. See, youre already doing it! Thanks for reading this far. In conclusion, keep up the good work and get this subliminal CD that can really help. NLP, brainwave generator and ultrasonic technologies. |
 |
Fear of Dogs Cure Subliminal CD by Real Subliminal Cure your fear of dogs; live an anxiety free life and enjoy any activity without worrying about dogs with our subliminal messages! Although your fear of dogs may seem real, and occupies much of your day to day thoughts, it is only actually a manufactured phobia. You have created the fear in your own mind. However this is a good thing, as because you created it, you can also eliminate it. Your mind is a powerful tool, and if you can harness its potential there are is literally no limit to what you can achieve. Our subliminal CD will do exactly that. It will take control of your mind with powerful messages to eliminate the negative thoughts you have towards dogs. This will effortlessly cure you of your fear of dogs forever! Like a mild type of hypnosis it will break... |
 |
Watch Less TV Time Management Subliminal CD by Sprudio CD with Nature Sound: The affirmations and suggestions are "buried" in the Ocean Waves Sound; all you hear is The Ocean Waves and the Nature Sound. Final Track Silent, can be used anywhere. There is not sound to be heard by conscious mind. Subliminal messaging is a proven tool and has been recommended by leading psychologists, physicians and professionals worldwide. However, the initial stages of Subliminal learning can irritate some people as it conflicts with their already established habits. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |