The first thing that people generally think when they hear about subliminal messages is the government or corporations trying to get ideas into our minds and it can be part true. Subliminal message is information that an individual can be exposed through the senses such as images, audio, smells and touch. In most cases the information is perceived indirectly and the person may not have consciously acknowledged the intended message.
Some Heavy Metal lyrics were belief to have hidden malign messages and several occasions criminals try to shield themselves blaming the lyrics and the alleged pressure to commit the crime, of course this has not been proved to be of substantial weight by the court. But what about corporations how have they incorporated this type of approach to gain customers or create an image? It is not new to business to try to merge a whole different type of factors appealing to the human senses to make them came back for more or make their experience fascinating. Abercrombie for example uses a particular fragrance they produce themselves in their stores, making it very characteristic and probably one few things a customer will remember from walking in the store.
According to experts the human brain is more likely to remember and bring back live memories if it exposed to familiar scents. What is the first thing that comes to your mind when you walk into a place that smells like pop corn? Most people will quickly associate with a movie theater, or a particular movie, a person you went with or a moment craved in time. This is exactly what market researches try to create in your mind when you are exposed often an image, scent or audio. The Question is then, is it moral to induce people to remember a brand o unconsciously signal to stimulate their desire to consume a good or a service. Well in the 1974 some networks and professional association along with the FCC banned the use of subliminal advertising.
If the question remains open about the effectiveness of these practices since they have not been proof to work 100 percent of the times, why this the consumer protection took the time to ban such a practice? A very similar effect can be found at bakeries and restaurants, where just by walking in front of them, a power aroma will kindle your appetite and invite you in to consume and enjoy their experience. But it is similar because although the message is indirect the individual is actually conscious of its reaction to the stimulus and willingly decides to shift its path.
I think it is very interested to find out until what point are we actually able to have control of our decisions and be sure that they are inherently our will and are not viciously infected by other intentions.
