In
my opinion, the most influential explanation for why so many people fall under
subliminal influence is Pratkanis' factor of " The Devil Made Me Do It." In order to achieve maximum profits, companies
undergo rigorous testing to see how they
can make customers purchase their product.
In some instances, I believe that companies dwell into the unconscious
minds of customers, secretly forcing them to invest in their company. As we go further into the future, the leading
companies of the nation are slowly gaining more control on our purchasing power.
2. Which factor do you think is the weakest
of Pratkanis' arguments? Explain why.
I
believe that "The Witch Test" is the weakest of Pratkanis'
arguments. Although he creates a valid
point stating that if subliminal messages did not work, then they would not be
in use, his other arguments are stronger because he fails to explain how people
with an intelligence level that is above the average intelligence level will
question the statements of the advertisement.
3. Do you believe subliminal advertising
exists? Have Pratkanis influenced your opinion. Why or why not?
I
firmly believe that subliminal advertising exists. I think that there are individuals who are
subliminally influenced into purchasing a project because they lack the skill
to ignore these subliminal messages. For
example, a few years ago my father purchased a mop that he was convinced would
help us keep our home clean on numerous occasions. However, the mop has yet to be used. My father was under the impression that we "needed"
this mop because of how helpful it would be, which directly correlates with
Pratkanis' fifth factor, "The Devil
Made Me Do It." Pratkanis' has
caused my belief of the existence of subliminal advertising to increase because
of his five, well thought-out factors.
Nick,
ReplyDeleteI like your anecdote about a mop in your house; it exemplifies the theory of compulsive consumerism. I find that many items around my house are the same, from the white board on side of our fridge to the piano that nobody plays.
Nick,
ReplyDeleteYour statement about subliminal investment sounds like something I heard a man on a Cleveland street corner tell me once. That being said, I too concur with your sentiments about subliminal messaging in ads which lead to a witch hunt for shopping for lousy products.