2006-09-21 04:06:31 · 8 answers · asked by Nick B 2 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Other than the placebo effect, the consensus seems to be that subliminal messages have (at best) a subliminal effect and most likely none at all.
Ironically, just today, I finished a book called "Intuition: Its Power & Perils" by Professor David G. Meyers, where he mentions studies done on subliminal tapes.
He describes one study where people with memory problems were given memory-boosting tapes and people with self-esteem problems were given esteem-boosting tapes -- well, at least SOME of them were.
The control group got the right tapes. The experimental groups were given the opposite tape while still being told it was the right tape.
(So some of the memory improvers actually got the self-esteem tape and vice versa, without knowing it.)
The subjects were tested both before and after, to see if there was any improvement in any area. The subjects were also asked to provide their own subjective opinion of how much (if any) they had improved.
The study's conclusion?
"Although neither tape had any effect on memory or self-esteem scores, those who *thought* they had heard a memory tape *believed* that their memories had improved [even if they heard a self-esteem tape].
"A similar result occurred for those who thought they had heard a self-esteem tape.
"Although the tapes were ineffective, the students perceived themselves as receiving the benefits they expected."
This result conforms to the other studies I've read about.
For another convincing and simple proof, note that the big companies (soft drink companies, car companies, etc.) spend their money on large attention-grabbing consciously perceived commercials rather than on subliminal effects.
If subliminal messages were more effective than conscious persuasion, there would be no need to work so darn hard to grab our attention.
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I would also hazard a guess that, if there is ever any real improvement in the desired area after doing the tape, much of it comes from the conscious mind being focused so much on the topic at hand.
(For example, if I am concerned about improving my memory enough to buy a tape, I am consciously focused on my memory improvement. Chances are I will think about memory improvement throughout my day in whatever I do, and inadvertently work on the issue directly.)
2006-09-21 06:00:22 · answer #1 · answered by Jennywocky 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
A National Research Council committee has concluded there is no scientific evidence to support claims that subliminal tapes work.
2006-09-21 04:36:36 · answer #2 · answered by ElOsoBravo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Subliminal messages do not and have not ever worked. The guy most credited with "inventing" them James Vicary Lied about the effect.
2006-09-24 14:18:18 · answer #3 · answered by knujefp 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes they do work,we have used them at Columbia Univ., for testing of course and several years ago some big retailers tried to use them on customers to buy specific items.
2006-09-21 07:18:48 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
subliminal tapes(send me your money) are no better than subliminal videos on the (send me all of it) television.
during the 1950's (send me all of your stock and bonds too) the U.S. Government outlawed (send me your credit card numbers and PINS) anything to do with subliminal messages as they (you also want to put me in your will) could possibly infringe on the rights (talk your parents into putting me in their will too) of the common US citizen.
hope this helps (send cash)
2006-09-21 04:10:28 · answer #5 · answered by seanachie60 4 · 1⤊ 2⤋
No. By definition subliminal means cannot be picked up by your senses. The rest is all B.S.
2006-09-21 04:08:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
they helped me when I was trying to lose weight. I lost over 80 pounds with them.
2006-09-21 04:13:46 · answer #7 · answered by couchP56 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This page says it does:
http://jennilee.submssg1.hop.clickbank.net
and teaches you how to do it.
2006-09-22 08:03:23 · answer #8 · answered by i_could_know 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋