In recent years there has been a tool by which people can build confidence and learn to rebuild their lives after experiencing tough life experiences. This tool is called subliminal messages and people wonder if they work or not. Subliminal messages work as a form of self hypnosis, and are based on Neuro Linguistic Programming, which was founded by John Bandier in the 1970s as a way of helping people overcome certain phobias. In NLP, a person uses positive affirmations that they create or which come from outside sources in order to counteract negative emotions. But do they really work? Yes In fact, this technique is so powerful; the US Government banned its use in television advertising decades ago! Dozens of scientific papers have been written demonstrating the effectiveness of subliminal messaging. Below are a few studies that have been conducted:
Before we get into the main areas of subliminal use, it is important to understand what a subliminal message actually is.Generally by using the term subliminal message we mean a means of transmitting a message beyond the means of conscious human perception, yet still reaching the mind to influence behavior. For example we receive a message without our awareness yet it still has an impact upon the brain.In truth the definitions are flexible, so lets define them in terms of "soft" and "hard" messages: This is where the suggestion is very passive.. where it is just a subtle suggestion such as a provocative or sexual pose, maybe even a play on words, but nothing too technical - a mere hint.This is what we really usually mean by the term, where an obvious subliminal technique is used, such as flashing images, hidden text, software, or audio moved to a different sound frequency so it is just out of hearing range.
We will discuss these "hard subliminal" messages in further detail next and show how they are used within our modern media centric world.Flashing images.This is probably the most common form of subliminal message use. There has been a lot of instances of flashing images within advertisements - trying to prompt the user to buy, or relate favourably to a brand.This all started with the now infamous research study where text was flashed saying "eat popcorn" or "drink cola"and sales of such items rose. This seemed to capture the imagination of every marketing manager in the country, yet still to this day brands are trying it.Just recently a major fast food brand, I don't want to mention the name of (ahem, golden arches) was accused of flashing their company logo in the adverts on the food channel in the USA.
But it is here where the misinformation creeps in. Subliminal perception does not trigger a magical process whereby an individual can listen to the programming then automatically shed the pounds. Cognition, like voyages of discovery and home cooking cannot be outsourced. In truth, subliminal perception only refers to the one way communication of information.Information received through subliminal perception is no more in control of behaviour, than the unconscious world of dreams. The decisions which lead to life changes remain firmly in the territory of the conscious mind and are part of the normal decision making process.So if subliminal messages do not control behaviour - what's going on? Understanding what is going on requires a little more subtlety. Subliminal programming such as those produced by Subliminal Today are aimed at alter decision sets and reinforcing through affirmation, specific aspects of self-perception.
In order to achieve this, NLP is used to crystallise a complete and meaningful idea by addressing a cluster of related concepts. In our weight loss example, these may be healthy living, natural food, longevity, benefits of feeling healthier and the route to achieving the associated positive emotions.In essence the messages convince us at unconscious to consider "Hey, I am a healthy person, and capable of making healthy decisions." This idea is held 'front of mind' long enough for the individual begins to make healthier decisions more often. The mind has an opportunity to observe these new tendencies, feel good about the choices made, experience the benefits and consciously choose to alter self-perception. There is no stronger psychological principle than Cogito ergo sum - I think therefore I am.
Before we get into the main areas of subliminal use, it is important to understand what a subliminal message actually is.Generally by using the term subliminal message we mean a means of transmitting a message beyond the means of conscious human perception, yet still reaching the mind to influence behavior. For example we receive a message without our awareness yet it still has an impact upon the brain.In truth the definitions are flexible, so lets define them in terms of "soft" and "hard" messages: This is where the suggestion is very passive.. where it is just a subtle suggestion such as a provocative or sexual pose, maybe even a play on words, but nothing too technical - a mere hint.This is what we really usually mean by the term, where an obvious subliminal technique is used, such as flashing images, hidden text, software, or audio moved to a different sound frequency so it is just out of hearing range.
We will discuss these "hard subliminal" messages in further detail next and show how they are used within our modern media centric world.Flashing images.This is probably the most common form of subliminal message use. There has been a lot of instances of flashing images within advertisements - trying to prompt the user to buy, or relate favourably to a brand.This all started with the now infamous research study where text was flashed saying "eat popcorn" or "drink cola"and sales of such items rose. This seemed to capture the imagination of every marketing manager in the country, yet still to this day brands are trying it.Just recently a major fast food brand, I don't want to mention the name of (ahem, golden arches) was accused of flashing their company logo in the adverts on the food channel in the USA.
But it is here where the misinformation creeps in. Subliminal perception does not trigger a magical process whereby an individual can listen to the programming then automatically shed the pounds. Cognition, like voyages of discovery and home cooking cannot be outsourced. In truth, subliminal perception only refers to the one way communication of information.Information received through subliminal perception is no more in control of behaviour, than the unconscious world of dreams. The decisions which lead to life changes remain firmly in the territory of the conscious mind and are part of the normal decision making process.So if subliminal messages do not control behaviour - what's going on? Understanding what is going on requires a little more subtlety. Subliminal programming such as those produced by Subliminal Today are aimed at alter decision sets and reinforcing through affirmation, specific aspects of self-perception.
In order to achieve this, NLP is used to crystallise a complete and meaningful idea by addressing a cluster of related concepts. In our weight loss example, these may be healthy living, natural food, longevity, benefits of feeling healthier and the route to achieving the associated positive emotions.In essence the messages convince us at unconscious to consider "Hey, I am a healthy person, and capable of making healthy decisions." This idea is held 'front of mind' long enough for the individual begins to make healthier decisions more often. The mind has an opportunity to observe these new tendencies, feel good about the choices made, experience the benefits and consciously choose to alter self-perception. There is no stronger psychological principle than Cogito ergo sum - I think therefore I am.
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