Subliminial messages Essay Example

popcorn and Coke resulted in increased sales at concessions. The implementation of subliminal advertising led to an eighteen percent increase in Cola sales and a fifty-eight percent increase in popcorn sales. Vicary's legendary Fort Lee subliminal projection test is frequently cited as evidence for the effectiveness of subliminal persuasion and he is credited with instigating the controversy surrounding it. The primary concern for most individuals regarding subliminal advertising is the utilization of 'embeds' - subtly inserted words, slogans or symbols that are not consciously perceived but still influence viewers.Throughout North America, embedded words and picture illusions are commonly used in advertising. This widespread presence demonstrates the power and pervasiveness of subliminal ads. Subliminal messages can be found in various forms of media, including newspapers, magazines, pamphlets, radio, and television. Undoubtedly, these subliminal stimuli have been proven to effectively sell products. Visual embeds have reached a high level of technical proficiency when it comes to using subliminal advertising as a motivational tool. This language is extensively utilized in advertisements and the media as a whole.

The success of modern media heavily relies on a hidden language that communicates with our unconscious minds. In fact, this language has become the foundation for profit in mass communication media within North America. The word "sex" is frequently embedded in American industry advertisements, serving as one of the most popular triggers for motivating purchasing behaviors. Other explicit words are also employed in this manner.

Even animated films by Walt Disney Company employ this method; for instance, The Little Mermaid features a castle on its cover that reveals a male's genital area while stars spell out the word "SEX" in one scene from

The Lion King. Additionally, cigarette ads specifically target women readers of magazines like Cosmopolitan using names like Kent that phonetically symbolize female genitals.

Advertisers firmly believe that these embedded messages assist them in selling their products effectively.Embeds have the negative effect of stimulating one's mind without control, making it possible for the viewer to spot suspicious objects in unlikely places. This technique is akin to finding shapes in clouds.

Backmasking involves recording a message into music that can only be understood when played backwards. The speaker's gender and spoken language are the only definitive elements recognizable in backmasked music. Such music tends to possess scratchy, undefined, and indistinguishable qualities. However, if informed about the supposed message, listeners are more likely to perceive and comprehend it.

A controversial Nevada court case showcased the legal complications that can arise during periods of subliminal hysteria. In 1985, the families of two boys who died by suicide sued Judas Priest, a British heavy metal band. They claimed that a subliminal message in one of their songs - "Do it" - drove their sons to take their own lives. The defense argued against any subliminal content on the band's album and even questioned its alleged ability to influence people without solid proof.Judge Whitehead's final ruling favored Judas Priest and concluded that the scientific research failed to prove that subliminal stimuli could cause major behavioral effects like anxiety or distress (www.subl.suicide). Backmasking, when used positively, can have beneficial effects such as assisting weight loss or smoking cessation with messages like "smoking's disgusting" or "I'm thin". However, negative effects include inserting unnecessary messages like "death" or "kill". With advancements in technology, it is crucial to

remain cautious about this issue as modifications in both video and audio tape become more possible (www.subl.suicide). Despite extensive research, the power of subliminals to motivate viewers and listeners remains unproven. Subliminal messages are associated with suggested positive and negative effects. The subconscious mind often overrides conscious thoughts and influences consumer behavior. These experiences profoundly impact behavior while remaining suppressed from conscious awareness (Key, 263). Individuals should strive to be more aware of subliminals as they are subtle stimuli with various reasons for not being easily noticeable.