Why are some scientists doubtful about subliminal influence?

Does subliminal perception really occur? Can anyone be able to observe something involuntarily without being conscious about it? These questions were raised to challenge the scientific validity of such claims. Experiments were conducted to prove that subliminal perception was indeed a fact.

Messages were flashed briefly and fast to the test subjects by the researchers. The subjects did not report seeing any of these. The subjects were asked whether they 'saw' the material that they did not 'see'. The subjects appeared to 'see' what they actually did not 'see'. But then this could neither be confirmed, nor could it be verified whether the subjects were either mistaken or even lying about seeing the flashed messages.

For example of subliminals, running on your computer screen (designed for self-help) you can search on Google and download program named Subliminal Flash (by Ded Pyhto, Inc).

The experiments came to be considered comical due to the difficulties encountered in both methodology and semantics. But the few devoted researchers continued their search. 'Subliminal perception' after all these was concluded to be an oxymoron by the scientists who were researching subliminal perception.

Charles Eriksen, a leading important critic, pointed to a number of flaws in the concept. However, though upsetting, the critique was inconclusive. He concluded that subliminal perception, rather than a question to be proved empirically, was actually illogical. He also did not take into consideration the distinction between the conscious awareness and verbal reporting of the stimulus itself.

According to him, if the subject was able to discriminate the stimulus in a test and therefore become aware of it, then the experiment was treated as failed. That the subject did not see the stimulus was considered by him as not pertinent. However, this critical factor becomes important subsequently to the understanding of illusions, perceptual bias and subliminal perception. On the other hand, these disapprovals by Eriksen and others led to methodological improvements later and finally to the very recognition of the experience.


Though these experiments were unsuccessful in some ways in terms of behavioral and introspective measures. The experiments were not lacking in results but were failures due to the weakness in their integration with available conceptual models and interpretations that lacked clarity.


N.F. Dixon brought out an inclusive review of the research till then after a decade of Eriksen's upsetting assessment. Dixon, though relying on the same data that Erikesen depended upon, gave a different conclusion. He pointed out that though the information processed were devoid of awareness; the responses were in reaction to external stimuli which were not acknowledged.

Dixons' review gave impetus to Wilson Bryan Key who had laid claims to subliminal perception that led to a wave of fear particularly by Vance Packard, a social reviewer, who cautioned the creation of advertisements by advertisers using psychoanalysts. Key worked further following upon this social critic. This fear exists to the present day.

In subsequent years, the research on subliminal perception took a turn with the acceptance of the fact of unconscious information processing of the human mind besides the conscious information processing. The unconscious information processing differs from the conscious in some respects at the level of cognition (thoughts) and affects (feelings).

We see a figure against the backdrop of a scene that we are watching. At any point of time we observe only one interpretation. This has been established with the use of different perceptual illusions, for instance, reversible figures. The scene is then brought to the level of consciousness. The stimuli are grouped by the mind into outlines in line with how we interpret the scene as established in psychology.

Experiments in subliminal perceptions initially indicated that we see patterns and figures in the ground though we may not have observed these patterns. The processing of conscious and unconscious thoughts is different. This is because the level of patterning of figure-ground organization that is required in conscious processing of features in perception is not required in the unconscious or preconscious processing.

The unconscious or preconscious processing is carried out by connecting resemblances of features instead of interpreting the meaning that we might observe in the background image that we attribute it with. Psychoanalysts interpret this as the 'primary process' of the 'unconscious mind'.

Unnoticed words or images then go through limited semantic and lexical analysis activating temporary motivational states or influencing preference in unclear decisions which then become visible as associated images in free association or dreams. This reasoning is behind the claim that advertisers are likely to implant pictures in ad for influencing the viewers. The important issue is to what extent this is possible and with what impact.


Marcel's string of experiments on subliminal perception in cognitive science was perhaps the most significant. Marcel used demonstrated semantic priming with the use of pattern masking. The methodology deployed in these studies was subsequently improved with the criticism of Marcel's studies. This later led to the critics' acknowledgement of subliminal perception as a distinct reality.

However skepticism abounds with the allegation that advertisers sold subliminal audiotapes which could not be substantiated. There have also been the ridiculous allegations that there is a global plot to conceal the positive research data on these.

But the possible influence of unheard or unseen messages can also not be out rightly discounted. Though this may sound cynical, yet this is not sufficient reason not to continue building upon the present studies.

Using Conscious Creation To Improve Your Life

You've probably heard the phrase, "Idle hands are the devil's tools" -- meaning if you don't have something to keep you busy, you're likely to get into trouble. That can be argued of course, since the intent to cause trouble probably has to be present also.

However, the concept itself does hold some truth regarding what we create in our lives. If it's true that we get back what we put out (into the universe), then it's easy to see why "idle hands" would be a bad thing for us. Life on this planet is an exercise in creating our own reality. Moment to moment, we are making decisions. Whether we act or don't act, we are putting forth our intent.

Every action has a consequence, either good or bad. Remember the concept, "like attracts like." Imagine that every bit of energy you put out is traveling the universe, gathering similar energy, and eventually being returned right back to you. It makes you think more carefully about what type of energy you are putting out every day, doesn't it? If we do nothing, we get nothing back (or at least nothing very good). Our lives become boring, empty shells. The very act of not moving, not doing, not creating causes stagnation.

Does that mean that as long as we keep busy, we'll have lots of prosperity and joy? Not necessarily. Remember that we need to focus our intent on what we're creating. We need to engage in the act of conscious creation every day, putting out positive, purposeful energy. What we get back is more positive energy, more abundance and more joy.

Conscious creation means thinking about what you want to do with your time, moment to moment. There are 24 hours in a day -- 1,440 minutes -- 86,400 seconds. Some of it has to be put aside for work, sleep, family, errands, housework, and the like. What are you doing with the rest of that time? Are you wasting it on mindless pursuits, or focusing it into purposeful activities? I'm not referring to just hobbies here, either. This is a process that can be applied to every aspect of our lives. Whether we have a lot of time to devote to hobbies or not doesn't matter. What matters is that we consciously focus our intent on building our circumstances, one minute at a time.

Some of us live our lives on autopilot. It's not that we don't want to do anything, we just don't know what to do. We have no direction, no passion, no purpose to work toward. We get up each morning, go to work, come home and lose ourselves in the television for the rest of the night. In the process, we are creating more of the same stagnant energy. If this describes you, it's time to shake things up! Develop some passions. Get excited about something. Turn your idle hands into busy hands and create something magical. The very act of moving will put energies into motion and begin pulling more favorable circumstances into your life.

Keep in mind this is a cumulative process and it takes time to fully transform your circumstances. One day of activity and purpose won't change everything around. Remember that you probably have months or years of stagnant energy built up that has resulted in your life the way it is today. By consistently working at it and keeping that positive energy in motion, it will begin to feed on itself and create even more positivity.