Changing Attitudes Through Subliminal Stimulation

This thesis has reviewed some of the early experiments on subliminal perception, has discussed some of the more current studies, and has considered some of the technological and methodological problems which were encountered in experiments on subliminal stimulation. / Individual differences in subjects which are used in experiments on subliminal stimulations were also discussed and several conclusions were reached. Such factors as need states of the individual and intelligence seem to have an influence upon whether or not the subliminal stimulus will be effective on a particular subject. / Two groups of college students were used in this experiment. Each group was composed of 20 subjects, ten males and ten females. They were selected by using those students who had a Wechsler Bellvue Vocabulary Subtest score of 29 or more, and who correctly followed directions on the three attitude scales administered them. / The control and experimental groups were both administered attitude scales. Two weeks later the subjects in the experimental group were given a subliminal stimulation without their being aware of it. This stimulation was given at an intensity which had previously been found to be below the absolute point of discernment for the group. This group was then given the three previously administered attitude scales. The control group was also given these scales, and the mean difference was computed for both groups. A t-test was used to discover whether the results obtained from the experimental group on the Semantic Differential test were significant. They were not found to be significant. It was concluded that deep-seated, strongly emotional attitudes could not be changed through the use of subliminal stimulation by using the methods, procedure, and apparatus used in this experiment.