Under the radar: Subliminal cues do work after all, says study

0 Comments | AFP, August, 2008

PARIS (AFP) — Attempts to manipulate consumers with subliminal messages, flashed onto movie or TV screens, once thrilled admen and panicked the public, but the furore faded when the technique failed to work.

But a study published on Thursday has given what is claimed to be the first evidence to the contrary -- that our decisions can, in fact, be influenced by subconsciously-perceived cues.

An unusual experiment, recounted in the British-based journal Neuron, could go a long way to explaining the mystery of what is often called intuition, its authors say.

"Humans frequently invoke an argument that their intuition can result in a better decision than conscious reasoning. Such assertions may rely on subconscious associative learning," said lead author Mathias...