In my opinion i believe the first explanation for subliminal persuasion is the strongest. When things are popular, sometimes no matter how stupid they may be, everyone will like it. Like Gangnam style was not a very good song and everyone realized this after the fact when everyone did like it and it became the most watched youtube video ever. I just find that ironic and at the same time fascinating that the public can be manipulated by something as simple as a song.
I believe the weakest explanation for subliminal persuasion is the final explanation. When someone does not know why they did something and they claim as the presentation stated "the devil made me do it" i think is ridiculous. People can always make their own choices when it comes to harming or upsetting someone or something else. If anything i dont believe the final explanation truly exists because there is no true evidence behind it. We go by what everyone says from their heads not what we all see.
I believe subliminal advertising does exist. Old play writers used to express subliminal messages in their performances to reflect upon the emotions of the crowd. Not only that, but when a price tag says "$9.99" you think, oh thats not that bad but when you see "$10.00", you think woah wait, thats to much, or i dont want to pay for that. This is because if you paid with a $10 bill, you lose all of the money from that bill but when its "$9.99" you still receive something back after paying, so the human mind plays tricks on you and companies and stores have unfortunately figured this out to their advantage.
Nick, I liked your example of the price differences because that emphasizes the way we percept different things very well. Even though one cent would hardly change anything, we subconsciously justify something that is only $9.99, while $10.00 would throw us over the edge.
ReplyDeleteLenart,
ReplyDeleteThough 9 is a lucky number, I long for the days when products will be a solid $10. I say just go for whatever has a coupon or sale tag, a form of subliminal persuasion in marketing. I like your incorporation of pathos in play writes. It brought a nice combination of English into social sciences.
I liked you example of the prices. Its so true, we see the lower number and automatically consider it a way better deal even if its only the difference of a cent.
ReplyDeleteDear Applenart,
ReplyDeleteIt is important to note that all we know is relative. What is good or what is expensive is based on our lives. A person in New York may find a five dollar hamburger cheap while a person in Tennessee, may find it expensive. Maybe subliminal advertising sets the parameters for relativity.
Nick,
ReplyDeleteYour economic example made me impressed. You applied what we talked about after speech on Saturday to what we've learned. Your point with $9.99 vs. $10 was also impressive. My parents say the same thing as well.
Now my question is why do we innately wish to believe everything we are told? We are more than capable of distinguishing fact from fiction- we know that most products on the market today are filled with carcinogens yet we continue to purchase them.....not to promote cynicism or paranoia or anything .....
ReplyDelete