What is subliminal messaging?

Question

What exactly is subliminal messaging? How does it work? Why do people do it?

Answer 1

Subliminal messaging is using certain techniques to get messages to people without them being consciously aware of it. For example, pictures flashing really quickly or backmasking (putting things backwards in songs).

People believe that the person won't consciously notice it, but that their mind will perceive it and get the message, then they will act on the message without even realizing.



Subliminal messaging is controversial and whether or not it does anything at all is still debated. Last I read, scientists found that it does slightly influence people's decisions on really minor things (what soda should I get?) if they can't make up their mind, but subliminal messaging isn't even close to actually being able to put thoughts into people's minds or to control their behavior in a dramatic way.



edit: however, the more you're exposed to something, the more you're likely to like it, so putting brand names in the backgrounds of things, or even possibly subliminal messaging, may make you more partial to the brand long term. But the influence is nowhere near as powerful as people think or expect.



People are generally accused of doing it for advertising purposes, or they're accused by conspiracy theorists of trying to brainwash people into doing things.

Answer 2

It's where the content of a message which appears normal, e.g. a song with regular verses and chorus is played like a usual song/pice of music but there are undertones e.g whispers in between lines are secret messages not so obvious until you search for them. Some are more obvious than others, like retail adverts will say "You NEED this product" and some people actually believe that message. Others are hidden in different ways like coding in the lyrics or from the old vinyl records, often if you played them backwards they revealed a message. Many were added to records just because they could be, for the band to be cool or to do it just for fun, others revealed a personal fact about a band member or let the fan hear a recording of their kids talking/laughing. Some more sinister groups/cults have been accused of using subliminal messaging to further inform or corrupt it's members thoughts/beliefs. I would say a lot of it is used to get into the minds unconscious thought processes which comes down to mind control.

Answer 3

It's hidden in music and media... Such as a fast pop up picture or a backwards message in a song..



It makes you see information and take it in without you knowing so.. Or at least that's the aim.



So that they can get a message out there. :)

Answer 4

Messages that affect a person on a subconscious level. It could be used by advertisers to instill a positive thought about a product into a person's mind.

Answer 5

Its just hidden words or ideas people put into media (not necessarily songs). its not as uncommon as you think either, think of condom and feminine hygiene commercials, you know what their talking about even though they dont show the product. In songs the most common form is blackmasking (saying something and playing it backwards on the track)

I have no idea why people do it, you'd have to ask them :)

Answer 6

Watch the end of fight club.