Subliminaalisia

Subliminaalisia, often referred to as subliminal messages, are stimuli that are presented below the threshold of conscious perception. This means that a person may be exposed to the stimulus, but they are not consciously aware of its presence. Subliminal messages can be auditory, such as sounds or words played at a very low volume, or visual, such as brief flashes of images or words.

The concept of subliminal messages gained significant public attention in the mid-20th century, particularly with the claims made by James Vicary in the 1950s. Vicary alleged that he had embedded messages like "Eat Popcorn" and "Drink Coca-Cola" into movie theater screenings, which he claimed led to increased sales of these products. However, his claims were later largely discredited due to methodological flaws and lack of replication.

Scientific research into the effects of subliminal messages has yielded mixed results. While some studies suggest that subliminal stimuli can influence attitudes or behaviors in specific, controlled laboratory settings, the extent to which they can be used to manipulate consumer choices or other complex behaviors in real-world situations remains a subject of debate and skepticism. Most researchers agree that any effects are likely to be subtle and highly dependent on the context and the individual. The ethical implications of using subliminal messages, particularly in advertising and media, are also a concern.