Vokey & Read S T U D Y l a n i m i l b u S s e g a s s e M

Vokey & ReadS T U D Y

l a n i m i l b u Ss e g a s s e M

Two Themes

• What were the two themes of this article?

Two Themes

• What were the two themes of this article?

1. Do so-called subliminal messages work?

2. Is it possible that not all “messages” were put there by evil rock stars (or Satan)?

Subliminal Messages

• What two kinds of subliminal messages do the authors investigate?

Subliminal Messages

• What two kinds of subliminal messages do the authors investigate?– “backmasking” - backwards messages in songs

Subliminal Messages

• What two kinds of subliminal messages do the authors investigate?– “backmasking” - backwards messages in songs

– words embedded in the background of images

Backmasking

• “Backmasking” is not backward masking (hint: if you’re going to argue that some perceptual phenomenon is the work of Satan, at least get the name right)

Backmasking

• “Backmasking” is not backward masking (hint: if you’re going to argue that some perceptual phenomenon is the work of Satan, at least get the name right)

• controversy in the 80’s - subliminal “backmasked” messages in rock music

Backmasking

• Examples of Gary Greenwald’s demonstrations (warning: you are about to hear a backmasked “message”)

Forward Backward

Does Backmasking Work?

• What can subjects tell about backwards messages?


• What can subjects tell about backwards messages?– Sex of the speaker– Language (barely)– Different speaker (barely)


• What don’t backwards messages convey?


• What don’t backwards messages convey?

–Meaning


• Some Examples of the experiments that Vokey & Read did:

• Subjects were presented with various phrases played backward. Subjects were unable to:– Accurately discriminate between questions and

declarations

– Sort sentences into the category of message (i.e. satanic, Christian, nursery rhymes, etc.)


• The meaning of backmasked messages is not consciously perceived (sufficiently to enable performance on these tasks).

• Might such messages still influence behavior?


• Priming by backmasked message?



• Subjects presented with passages that use the less common of two homophones tend to use that word when asked to spell it– e.g. climbing Mt. Everest is an incredible feat



• Subjects presented with passages that use the less common of two homophones tend to use that word when asked to spell it– e.g. climbing Mt. Everest is an incredible feat

• Subjects heard backwards sentences containing uncommon words

If backwards messages have subliminal influence, what would you predict?


• Priming by backmasking:

• Result: there was no biasing of the less frequent homophone by exposure to it in a backward message



• Result: there was no biasing of the less frequent homophone by exposure to it in a backward message

• Interpretation: backmasked messages are not effective at influencing behavior



• What are some counterarguments one might make?



• What are some counterarguments one might make?– Perhaps repeated exposure is necessary



• What are some counterarguments one might make?– Perhaps repeated exposure is necessary– Null findings do not prove the absence of an

effect



• What are some counterarguments one might make?– Perhaps repeated exposure is necessary– Null findings do not prove the absence of an

effect• one needs to know the statistical power

Are All Subliminal Messages Intentionally Inserted?

• These messages tend not to be clear and obvious


• These messages tend not to be clear and obvious

• Could it be that our brains mistakenly see or hear messages that aren’t really there?


• Is there really a dog or are the spots enough like a dog for your brain to fill in the rest?

Subliminal “Messages” Where you Least Expect Them

• How did Vokey and Read test the idea that subliminal messages might just be a case of mistaken perception?


• The examined passages from various sources (Jabberwokey and the 23rd Psalm) played backwards to identify candidate messages

The “subliminal” message is:


• The examined passages from various sources (Jabberwokey and the 23rd Psalm) played backwards to identify candidate messages

The “subliminal” message is: “saw a girl with a weasel in her mouth”


• Listeners were given each passage (backwards) and asked to listen for 12 possible messages

• Listener’s detected “messages” in the appropriate passage


• Interpretation: Your brain is remarkably good at “active construction” of patterns amid a background of noise.


• Interpretation: Your brain is remarkably good at “active construction” of patterns amid a background of noise.

• Creative listening by (well-meaning?) public censors can go very wrong


• Consider the trial of Judas Priest– Band sued for inserting the message “do it”

which allegedly lead to the suicide of two teens

Listen for “Do It” The “do its”


• Consider the trial of Judas Priest– Band sued for inserting the message “do it”

which allegedly lead to the suicide of two teens

• Band acquitted on the basis of expert testimony

Expert Testimony !


• With enough creativity and patience one can see “subliminal messages” just about anywhere:


• This and other examples can be found at http://fn1.tfn.net/~petrkub/sublime.html

• Have a look and decide whether these are examples of devious advertising or just “active construction”

http://fn1.tfn.net/~petrkub/sublime.html


• They may or may not have been put there on purpose

• It’s unlikely that they have any effect on you whatsoever


• Our perceptual mechanisms are great at extracting meaningful images from noisy stimuli. For example - the famous face on Mars:

Viking, 1976


• Given a clearer picture it looks a lot less like a face:

Mars Global Surveyor, 2001

Next Time:

• Bring idea journals

• Course wrap-up and idea sharing

Documents

Vokey & Read S T U D Y l a n i m i l b u S s e g a s s e M