Subliminal stimuli: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 06:25, 5 July 2003

Revision as of 08:35, 11 July 2003

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==Validity==

In spite of the popular belief that subliminal messages are widely used to influence audiences, there is little evidence that the technique has ever been used on a mass audience (other than its occasional use by artists who use it to make an artistic statement). There is no evidence that subliminal messages have any effect at all on a viewer or listener, and the current consensus among marketing professionals is that subliminal advertising is ineffective and can be counter-productive. The theory underlying subliminal messages is often considered to be no better than [[pseudoscience]]. However, the concept of subliminal messages is very popular among [[conspiracy theory|conspiracy theorists]], and most people in media-saturated areas (such as the [[United States]]) areas are familiar with the term.

A number of fringe elements in society have made occasional claims that subliminal messages can be found in various forms of popular entertainment. Popular claims of subliminal commands include the supposed use of "[[backward message]]s" in [[rock and roll]] songs. Conservative activist [[Donald Wildmon]] has claimed that the [[Disney]] corporation inserted the subliminal command "SEX" into the [[animation|animated]] film ''[[The Lion King]].'' Mainstream authorities have generally ignored these claims due to the dubious reputations of their authors.