Subliminal messages can affect our brains, researchers find

http://www.world-science.net/othernews/050516_sublimfrm.htm

Subliminal messages can affect our brains, researchers find 

Posted May 16, 2005
Special to World Sciences
Courtesy Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
In the 1950s, a frightening rumor originated that has never died down. Our decisions can be influenced without our knowledge or control through “subliminal” messages—words or pictures presented in such a way that we don’t consciously notice them. For instance, an advertiser might flash words such as “drink Coke” on a movie screen too briefly for conscious notice, with the result that cola sales go up at the popcorn counter.

Now, researchers say it is becoming clearer that the rumors might have a kernel of truth: so-called subliminal messages can in fact affect our brains. Moreover, these hidden messages activate the same brain areas as do overt messages of the same nature.


Some of the first studies purporting to demonstrate the reality of subliminal effects were later discredited. One of these studies, indeed, involved “drink Coke” messages at a movie theater. Its author, James Vicary, later retracted the findings


More recently, when Democrats in the United States accused Republicans of using subliminal advertising in 2000, the Republicans bristled. And advertising professionals protested that any such accusations were silly because there was no evidence that subliminal advertising works.





But more recent studies have supported the existence of at least some subliminal effects.


In a paper to be published in this week’s early online edition of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers report that people can unconsciously process the meaning of subliminal words.


The researchers found that briefly flashed messages of fear-related words tended to trigger activity in a brain region associated with fear





The scientists measured brain activity during presentation of subliminal words by studying three patients with epilepsy who had electrodes placed in their brains as part of a presurgical evaluation.


On a computer screen, the patients viewed words flashed too quickly to be seen consciously, as well as visible words shown long enough to be detected.







Half of the words were threatening in nature, such as “danger” or “kill.” The other half were emotionally neutral, for instance, “cousin” or “see”. During the process, the researchers recorded electrical activity in the amygdala, a brain structure that responds to fearful or threatening stimuli. 


The researchers observed that the subliminal, threatening words were detected by the brain and elicited more electrical activity in the amygdala than neutral words. The quickly-flashed words were shown for about one thirtieth of a second.


Differences in electrical activity evoked by threatening versus neutral words were similar, whether the words were consciously seen or subliminal, the researchers wrote. But consciously seen words were processed more quickly and elicited a stronger, more sustained effect than subliminal words. 


These findings indicate that the emotional meaning of words can be accessed subliminally, occurring in the same brain region as conscious processing, wrote the researchers, Lionel Naccache and colleagues at the Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris.



Although the study is one of the first to be published in a prestigious research journal and to demonstrate that subliminal messages have an effect, it is not the only recent study to have backed up the notion. Several of the previous studies, though, have still not met the strictest scientific standards, Naccache and colleagues argue.





In one recent report, Princeton University’s Joel Cooper found that television viewers watching a program of “The Simpsons” became thirstier when subliminal messages related to thirst were embedded in the program.


“So, was Vicary correct after all?” asked Cooper in his paper, published in the November, 2002 issue of theJournal of Applied Social Psychology.


“Our findings, along with a growing body of research in social cognition, suggest that there might be some truth to the suggestion that our motivational states are affected—and might even be caused—by pre-consciously perceived stimuli,” that is, those not quite strong enough to reach consciousness.




Hey Eric S Phillips this is not your little play world. You have your five hundred lighters to get into heaven that you told me some one in a dream told you to do. I want you to know and think about something before I tell you the same thing that you really need to do. And please know this is no auditory transmission. This is how I think about you.





Many psychological problems are characterized by a loss of control or a lack of control in specific situations. Usually, this lack of control is part of a pattern of behavior that also involves other maladaptive thoughts and actions, such as substance abuse problems or sexual disorders like the paraphilias (e.g. pedophilia and exhibitionism). When loss of control is only a component of a disorder, it usually does not have to be a part of the behavior pattern, and other symptoms must also be present for the diagnosis to be made.

But, there are several psychological disorders that are defined primarily by loss of control. These impulse control problems will be described here briefly:

• Intermittent Explosive Disorder
• Domestic Violence
• Kleptomania
• Pyromania
• Pathological Gambling
• Trichotillomania

Intermittent Explosive Disorder - Episodes of aggressive outbursts resulting in either destruction of property or physical assaults on others. Typically, this problem results in legal problems as well, because the individual is often charged with assault, or a domestic violence charge. 
Loss of control is an essential feature of this disorder. The individual, usually male, has had several incidents of losing control of anger, resulting in aggressive acting out, either by assaulting others, or destroying property. The degree of aggression is always out of proportion to any precipitating factors that might be present (within an argument, for example). Typically, these individuals will not take responsibility for their loss of control, instead blaming the victim, other circumstances in their life, or some third party who may have told them something or said something that "caused" their uncontrolled anger. Lack of control is a central part of the problem, and inability to accept responsibility for the aggression helps to alleviate guilt. It also prevents the individual from making any changes.
Dr. Franklin uses both behavioral and cognitive interventions of this type of control problem. In particular, anger management techniques are needed, as well as discovering a way to deflect the anger so that it can be controlled.





Hey Everyone,


I had Kelly Lemaster call me for help because Eric S Phillips was abusing here. John Lemaster called is son Spike Lemaster to go and see what Eric S Phillips was doing to his daughter. And I once saw this boy Eric S Phillips hit a woman for no reason.


Domestic Violence - Domestic violence is a particular form of Intermittent Explosive Disorder, because often these individuals only lose control within the context of a close interpersonal relationship. However, many of these individuals have a generalized anger management problem, but control it better outside their own home.  The criteria for a diagnosis of intermittent explosive disorder are almost always present in domestic violence situations, except when the violence occurs only in conjunction with substance abuse or intoxication. In those situations, the individual usually meets the criteria for a substance abuse diagnosis. Sometimes, intoxication is also a form of not accepting blame. The individual may choose to become intoxicated prior to a confrontation. This may be because of an inability to confront others.  The intoxication removes normal social restraints, and also gives the individual an excuse for loss of control.







Individuals who only lose control within relationships often attach tremendous emotional ultimatums to those relationships. If a person believes that loss of a relationship will doom them forever, then their reaction may be consistent with that belief, even if the belief is false. There are other factors influencing domestic violence that do not always occur in other social conflicts. 


Within a relationship, each spouse may have specific role expectations for the other spouse. That is, a man may expect his wife to behave a certain way, to think a certain way, and to respond a certain way to him. These expectations may be immature and/or irrational, although commonly held within his social group. These expectations may also serve to increase the emotional tension in the relationship, so that it surpasses his level of control. Since these expectations may not exist in other relationships, he may be able to maintain control outside of the marital relationship.


Dr. Franklin has found that the perpetrators of domestic violence rarely receive adequate psychological treatment, because they are viewed as criminals, rather than individuals with psychological problems. Because denial is often a major component of this problem, the power of the courts may act as a motivating factor to move the person into treatment, but will seldom stop the behavior without treatment.  Dr. Franklin recognizes that men who cannot control their anger have a number of psychological issues that require treatment, and that this is a mental health issue, not a criminal one. Treatment consists of behavioral self-control techniques, stress management, and cognitive therapy to change the irrational belief system that triggers the violent behavior.


Hey Eric Phillips,


 I know you were taken to jail for beating a woman one time and was charged for it. Now you take your rage out on disable people. I have to ask you a question when I see you. The question is about John Lemaster.I want to know if you used the weapon you stole from the Navy on him.


Because the man was sick, and was not doing well. But you went up to him and asked him too pay off your car and your student loan because you and Kelly Lemaster had been dating for about two months.. You told me that he would not help you. You did not cause John Lemaster (ALS) to  mature too the point of killing him did you, Because I have found out a lot about that biological weapon you stole from the Navy. I know sense your mother had mental problems. And that it could have been passed on to you. 


You did not use that weapon on John Lemaster did you? Because he became a lot sicker when you and him and his family came back from that trip. He did not tune him in then did you Eric S Phillips.



I remember when you came over to Rachel,s house. and asked me to loan you some money that you owe me still. The money I gave to you to make your car payment did help you did it. I know you want money. But to go after disable people to get some money.That only proves you need help Eric S Phillips.







Eric S Phillips

You need to call these Departments and turn in what you stole from the navy.

Phone Numbers

The United States NCIS-RA
Agent Shawn Nash
1-901-874-5387

Federal Bureau of Investigation                                                 

Birmingham

Agent on Duty

 1-205-356-6166   

Federal Bureau of Investigation                                                  

Jacksonville Division Headquarters

Joint Terrorism Task Force

 1-904-248-7000

 Federal Bureau of Investigation                                                  

Pensacola, Florida

Agent John Cannon

1-850-432-3476

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office                                                 

Sheriff Mike Hale

1-205-325-5700