Before we can answer the question how do subliminal messages work we must learn a little about subliminal messages. What are subliminal messages, and do they work at all?
Flashing a simple word or image in front of an audience very quickly can have some effect on them, although you can't always predict what effect that will be. Other types of subliminal messaging don't appear to work at all. Playing recorded speech backwards doesn't have any effect, nor does trying to convey more complicated messages.
Subliminal means the same thing as subconscious. Showing someone an image for just a few milliseconds is so fast that they can not consciously perceive it. They do perceive it subconsciously, and this perception can effect their behavior.
Several studies about subliminal messaging can help us understand how it works. In one experiment subjects were shown the name of a soft drink for a very short amount of time. Afterwards they were more likely to choose that drink than the control group who had not received the message. In another experiment subjects were shown the word "beef." Surprisingly, this did not cause them to prefer beef afterwards, but it did make them hungrier than the control group.
There are now some companies that market subliminal messages. They record audio backwards, and sell these tapes to consumers, in order to help the with problems such as low self esteem. Regrettably, studies have not found any evidence that this works.
Is there any danger in subliminal messages? Not really. Subliminal messages are not used on TV or in movies, but even if they were, it still would not be dangerous. Subliminal messaging can only provide a slight change. It might influence your choice of what brand to buy, but it couldn't make you do something against your will. No subliminal message could make you do something you would never do otherwise.
Flashing a simple word or image in front of an audience very quickly can have some effect on them, although you can't always predict what effect that will be. Other types of subliminal messaging don't appear to work at all. Playing recorded speech backwards doesn't have any effect, nor does trying to convey more complicated messages.
Subliminal means the same thing as subconscious. Showing someone an image for just a few milliseconds is so fast that they can not consciously perceive it. They do perceive it subconsciously, and this perception can effect their behavior.
Several studies about subliminal messaging can help us understand how it works. In one experiment subjects were shown the name of a soft drink for a very short amount of time. Afterwards they were more likely to choose that drink than the control group who had not received the message. In another experiment subjects were shown the word "beef." Surprisingly, this did not cause them to prefer beef afterwards, but it did make them hungrier than the control group.
There are now some companies that market subliminal messages. They record audio backwards, and sell these tapes to consumers, in order to help the with problems such as low self esteem. Regrettably, studies have not found any evidence that this works.
Is there any danger in subliminal messages? Not really. Subliminal messages are not used on TV or in movies, but even if they were, it still would not be dangerous. Subliminal messaging can only provide a slight change. It might influence your choice of what brand to buy, but it couldn't make you do something against your will. No subliminal message could make you do something you would never do otherwise.
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For more about the secret to how subliminal messages work check out how to make subliminal messages yourself.
