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A subliminal message is a signal or message designed to pass below (sub) the normal limits of perception. For example it might be inaudible to the conscious mind (but audible to the unconscious or deeper mind) or might be an image transmitted briefly and unperceived consciously and yet perceived unconsciously. This definition assumes a division between conscious and unconscious which may be misleading; it may be better to say that the subliminal message (sound or image) is perceived by deeper parts of what is a single integrated mind.In the everyday world, it has often been suggested (without evidence) that subliminal techniques are used in advertising and for propaganda purposes.
1 Origin of the Term
The term subliminal message was popularized in a 1957 book entitled The Hidden Persuaders by Vance Packard. This book detailed a study of movie theaters that supposedly used subliminal commands to increase the sales of popcorn and Coca-Cola at their concession stands. However, James Vicary (the author of the study) later admitted the study was fabricated.
In 1973 Wilson Bryan Key 's book Subliminal Seduction claimed that subliminal techiques were in wide use in advertising. The book contributed to a general climate of fear with regard to Orwellian dangers (of subliminal messaging). Public concern was enough to lead the Federal Communications CommissionThe Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is an independent United States government agency, created, directed, and empowered by Congressional statute. The FCC was established by the Communications Act of 1934 as the successor to the Federal Radio Commi to hold hearings and to declare subliminal advertising "contrary to the public interest" because it involved "intentional deception" of the public.
2 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 pseudoscienceA pseudoscience is any body of knowledge purported to be scientific or supported by science but which fails to comply with the scientific method. Pseudoscience is a kind of counterfeit or masquerade of science which makes use of some of the superficial tr. However, the concept of subliminal messages is very popular among conspiracy theoristsFor the movie, see Conspiracy Theory (movie # A conspiracy theory is a theory that defies common historical or current understanding of events, under the claim that those events are the result of manipulations by one or more secretive powers or conspiraci, and most people in media-saturated areas (such as the United StatesThe United States of America also referred to as the United States U. America ¹ or the States is a federal republic in central North America, stretching from the Atlantic in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west. It shares land borders with Canada in) 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 messageA backward message (otherwise, but incorrectly, known as Backmasking is a supposed message hidden in an audio recording that is revealed by playing it backwards. Thus it requires audio equipment with this facility, either built-in, or in the case of a gras" in rock and rollRock and roll also called rock is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony backing), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. As a cultural phenomenon, songs. Conservative activist Donald Wildmon has claimed that The Walt Disney Company inserted the subliminal command "SEX" into the animated film The Lion King (see that article for more information on this). Mainstream authorities have generally ignored these claims due to the dubious reputations of their authors.
