None of the semi-subliminal or manipulative ads on this site should be considered in isolation. There is rarely an obvious feature that qualifies as a semi-subliminal element in an ad. More often than not such elements are part of an overall theme or convey only part of a more sophisticated message. Additionally, semi-subliminal and manipulative ads are part of the continuum of advertising techniques. These run from the clearly visible to (possibly) the truly subliminal. If you are having difficulty 'seeing' what is described do not jump to a hasty conclusion regarding the nature of semi-subliminal and manipulative advertising and their potential to influence the thoughts of viewers. Read some of the visual perception and psychology pages first. Viewers should remember that 'First impressions don't count with semi-subliminal ads'. Such ads are not designed to 'jump out and grab you by the throat'. They are intended to influence you without your conscious involvement. If they were 'too obvious' then such a goal would be impossible. In other words they are designed to be difficult to perceive. There are many exceptions, especially when considering manipulative rather than semi-subliminal ads. Additionally, some ads may contain elements that do not attract instant attention but nevertheless 'stand out' when attention is drawn to the contents e.g. the Lynx Phoenix ad. Additional information regarding the continuum of manipulative advertising techniques can be found on a couple of other pages: Click here for Topsecrt.htm and here for Rating.htm Viewing a number of ads from the same company or for the same product may present sceptical viewers with a more compelling message than 'first impressions', just as circumstantial evidence in a court case can accumlulate to produce a sound verdict. Alternatively, think of the argument on this site as a mosaic, with each page contributing part of the overall picture. Only when the picture is complete can one extract something really meaningful. Other pertinent information can be found on the Frequently Asked Questions page and the Glossary page. |
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