Subliminal Techniques: Considerations and Recommendations for Analyzing Feasibility

ABSTRACT

In an attempt to provide users with more information while maintaining a calm ubiquitous environment, researchers have investigated the possibility of presenting information “subliminally.” The authors explores the historical issues associated with examining perception without awareness with special emphasis on the difficulty associated with ensuring stimuli have been presented below the participant’s subjective threshold of awareness. It may be possible to circumvent this issue by taking a results-oriented approach. However, the advancement of subliminal techniques requires stronger experimental evidence that information is actually being presented below the subject threshold of awareness and gaining the desired effect on user performance. The authors offers three considerations that help designers weigh the costs and benefits of employing a subliminal technique. The authors also offers three recommendations that help designers present information below the subjective threshold of awareness and measure their users’ awareness of the information.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Mary L. Still

Mary Still earned her Ph.D. in Cognitive Psychology from Iowa State University. She currently has an appointment at Old Dominion University. She has expertise in cognition, research methods, and human factors. Dr. Still’s research explores written language processing, masked priming and implicit processes, and intuitive design.

Jeremiah D. Still

Jeremiah Still earned his Ph.D. in Human–Computer Interaction from Iowa State University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor of Psychology at Old Dominion University. His Psychology of Design laboratory explores the relationship between human cognition and technology; specifically, he is focusing on visual attention, usable cyber security, and intuitive design