Stuff About Subliminal Advertising

 I just wanted to work off my earlier blog about sex being used in advertising, but take it in a different direction. We al know sex in advertising when we see it, but what about sex being used in advertising in ways that we don’t fully recognize but is intended to get out attention through our subconscious. This type of advertising is called subliminal, you have all most likely heard of it. Subliminal advertising is present if there are any sensory stimuli present that may be below an individual's threshold for conscious perception. The theory behind this is to make the consumer act in a certain way, obviously under his/her own will, but caused by these triggers in the brain. There are many ways to advertise subliminally, by having images flash for a few thousandths of a second in the middle of a show or by playing audio either slowed or sped up, hidden underneath other audio. Apparently these can be picked up by the subconscious but they have very little impact on behavior. In most cases it only works to get someone to do something they were already going to do, just reminds them.

Though truly subliminal advertising is illegal, companies find ways to incorporate images and shapes into their ads that play to the viewers subconscious. Though these messages don’t say “buy this product” they subconsciously stimulate certain parts of the brain that make people either prefer a brand slightly or even to spend more money. There have been studies done that show men are more likely to aimlessly spend money if a section of their brain is activated, releasing certain endorphins. Sex and sexual content are known to trigger these endorphins the most, making men more likely to buy products that consciously or unconsciously relate to sex. So ladies, if you want your guy to buy you an expensive dinner, better put out before dinner, rather than after.