Reference no: EM132303371
Discussion: Subliminal Advertising
Overview
In recent years, the mass media have given widespread attention to claims that U. S. citizens are often compelled to buy consumer items because of subliminal advertising. For this discussion, you will find examples of subliminal advertising and evaluate the existence and effectiveness of such advertising.
Beginning with a book by Brian Wilson Key in 1973 entitled Subliminal Deception, the common themes of the argument that subliminal advertising exists and is effective have been systematized by many authors. The claim is that subliminal embeds are placed into ads where the embeds are representations of stimuli whose character is related to sexuality, aggression, or death.
The argument continues that such ads are particularly effective because the Freudian superego (conscience) of normal people prevents them from being consciously aware of the embeds. It is said that for this reason such ads can bypass a person's rational and conscious evaluation, and compel people to buy products based on the arousal of powerful, primitive urges of sex and/or aggression .
For this discussion, collect the best three examples of advertising that seem to contain embedded material of the type described above, i.e., deliberately embedded images or symbols of male or female sexual organs, or skulls for death imagery.
Directions
Task 1
On a separate Word document, cut and paste the three examples you find. Remember that you are trying to find sexual imagery that will not be seen consciously by most viewers, not just sexually provocative ads.
With each image that you submit, add the following information:
1. What in the picture represents subliminal embeds?
2. What is the subtext, the implied message that the advertiser intended?
3. Explain how you believe the advertiser thought this subliminal embed would sell more of a product or commodity.
Task 2
On the same Word document, after the task above and write a short essay of 750-1000 words that contains:
1. A statement about whether you believe subliminal advertising exists and impacts consumers, that is, the mind of the viewer must repress material consciously and yet be strongly influenced to buy a product. Is this possible?
2. In answering, use at least four scholarly journal articles or book chapters, and cite these sources carefully. Consult the APA document in the resources section of this course. Develop a scholarly position of your own by citing the relevant evidence and arguments both pro and con.
Below appear some references you may wish to consult. Both pro and con articles are listed so that you can begin to decide what your own informed opinion is regarding the existence and effectiveness of subliminal advertising.