The scientists who conducted the experiments with subliminal messages have shown that hidden images are recieved by the brain even when we are totally unaware of their presence!
Researchers, lead by Bahador Bahrami, discovered that a subject's brain was able to register images that were faint or those flashed at speed if they were in their visual line of sight, even when the subject was adamant that they had not seen anything i.e. subliminal messages.
Although current psychological assumptions work on the belief that what we pay attention to and what we are aware of are the same, this study shows otherwise. Bahrami and his team have shown that we do not need to be aware of subliminal messages for them to have an affect on the brain. Even though we can be totally unaware of any images being shown to us in the form of subliminal messages, the brain is aware and registers them!
These findings can support the idea that subliminal messages in advertising do grab our attention!
This could account for being aware of billboards on the roadside or flashing computer graphic ads on websites not to mention the use of visual subliminal messages in magazine advertisements! It could also account for the phenomenon of being in a crowed room with a lot of conversations going on and suddenly being aware of someone mentioning your name across the room!
The University's studies revolved around experiments that used volunteers who wore special eye-glasses. One lens was red while the other lens was coloured blue.
One eye of the glasses projected blue flashing light while the other eye showed faint or fast flashing images.
As these two sets of images were given to the eyes of the volunteers they were required to perform simple mental tasks that varied in difficulty. Meanwhile the participant's brain was being monitored and the activity in the visual cortex was studied.
The researcher's clearly showed that the brain registered the images although the subject was unaware of having seen anything - just as subliminal messages work! This effect was greater when the participants had to use less concentration with easier tasks.
This supports the experimenter's view that some attention is needed for subliminal messages to be registered. If a person is fully occupied in another activity then the subliminal messages may not get through to the brain.
However, when we look at subliminal advertising we see that it does not require a great deal of concentration and our attention is usually on the advertisement which would mean the subliminal messages would easily get through!
This would be the same if we had flashing subliminal messages on our computer or television screen!
Since the 1958 Vicary experiments with popcorn and coke subliminal messages in a movie theater, scientists have hotly debated whether subliminal messages are even registered by the brain at all. This latest study proves that they are!
Although scientists at the University College London do not state that these subliminal messages are effective at influencing us they do admit that they are registered by the brain even though we are unaware of them.
I think it is only a matter of time before their effectiveness for influencing us is determined. If they were not effective why would they be used in multi-million dollar advertising campaigns and why would the Bush campaign have flashed the words "bureaucrats" and "rats" over a pictorial representation of Al Gore's election proposals?
The term "subliminal" refers to anything that exists just below your consciousness awareness i.e. at the subconscious level.
It has long been known that in order to create lasting measurable change in yourself it is necessary for you to access the subliminal or subconscious part of your mind. One excellent method of doing this is through the use of subliminal programming. By using subliminal recordings you can bypass the conscious mind and reprogram your inner mind through the use of carefully selected subliminal messages.
Subliminal messages can be constructed for a great many things like reducing stress, inducing relaxation, creating motivation , for better study habits, smoking cessation or losing weight, to name but a few!
The subliminal messages that are passed to your subconscious mind really do begin to change your thinking patterns and physical habits. So lets look at exactly how do their work.
Subliminal programs contain positive affirmations (subliminal messages) that are designed to help the listener achieve a change in a specific area they have chosen or to achieve a particular goal they have set. The physical brain receives these affirmations at a subconscious level and because there is no interference from the critical conscious mind the subconscious mind, which is where are beliefs and attitudes are stored, immediately begins the work of making the subliminal messages a reality in your life.
Subliminal messages accelerate the process of changing your attitudes because they bypass the analytical critical conscious mind and begin to reprogram the subconscious mind much like reprogramming a computer.
When subliminal messages, which are usually embedded in a piece of music or masked with ocean waves, are played, the beliefs that are stored in the subconscious mind are slowly and gently replaced by powerful new positive beliefs. It is an automatic and effortless method of changing yourself from the inside-out.
However, having said that, you should be aware that most of your subconscious programming has taken place over an entire lifetime and it is unlikely to be changed in a few hours or days. In addition you may have several issues that overlap and may require more than one subliminal recording to reprogram. A example my be self confidence issues. You may have low self esteem and listen to a subliminal recording to increase this area but find that after listening to it for several weeks you still lack self esteem. In such a case you would need to also ensure the subliminal confidence messages on the recording included self esteem affirmations or you could purchase/make two different subliminal recordings. However, I would advise getting a recording that helps to totally restructure your entire self image. This type of overlapping issue can apply to almost anything in life so real, true, honest introspection is needed to determine what area of your life needs changed before you decide which subliminal recordings and subliminal messages are right for your particular circumstances and needs.
Reprogramming of the subconscious mind takes time and you will usually see permanent results after about twenty-eight days. It is my rule of thumb to give all personal development tools at least a month before looking for real tangible results.
However, like all good self improvement techniques subliminal reprogramming can lead to initial irritation in some people as the subliminal messages being offered conflict with their established beliefs. In this instance the subconscious mind fights back in a vain attempt to keep the status-quo, it hates change. Remember that your beliefs and attitudes were programmed into your subconscious mind to protect you! If this happens don't be disheartened it is a sign that your new beliefs are taking hold and that change is happening. After you have made a few changes like this the subconscious mind gets the message and realises who is really the boss and the discomfort is unlikely to occur again if you decide to make more inner changes.
Subliminal reprogramming can be achieved through the use of subliminal CDs/tapes, videos/DVDs and it is even possible to purchase software that allows you to create your own custom subliminal recordings.
To those of you who are unsure of the effectiveness of subliminal messages I would ask this. Have you ever heard a piece of music in the morning without paying much attention to it yet had it in your head all day, perhaps even humming or singing it throughout your day? I bet you have! Have you ever been in a crowd totally unaware of all the conversations that were taking place until someone mentions your name? Are you also aware that you are receiving subliminal messages every day? The vast majority of advertising campaigns are filled with subliminal messages in the form of visual input designed to elicit a specific response from you.
Would it not be better to ensure the subliminal messages reaching your subconscious mind are of your choosing and that they are creating the person, life and circumstances you want? Yes? Then why not give them a try?
Both Michael Mcgrath & Michael A. Mcgrath are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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