Priming and its effects

The subconscious mind has been a topic of intrigue and investigation for more than a century. Through his psychoanalytic work, Sigmund Freud first brought the unconscious mind into the scientific community’s awareness. His theories regarding the “id,” the unconscious part of the mind, were among the first to suggest that the unconscious mind could affect behavior. For instance, Freud argued that memories in the subconscious mind that are not consciously remembered can still affect behavior. While this idea of suppressed memory remains controversial, Freud was correct in thinking the subconscious mind can affect behavior and thought processes. Since then, researchers have developed several theories about the subconscious, especially concerning its role in attention. How do we choose what we consciously attend to and what remains beneath the cognizant mind? One theory suggests that as stimuli enter the brain, they are held briefly in sensory memory until the person chooses to attend to it. This theory can be demonstrated through our ability to repeat the last few words someone has said, even if we were not paying attention at the time. While this sensory memory can be useful, it only lasts for a few seconds. However, some studies suggest that we do not have to attend to sensory information for it to have an effect on behavior. Priming is the process of presenting implicit information that is not consciously attended to, yet influences thoughts and behavior. Research from the past three decades has led to a broader understanding of priming and how it affects everyday life. However, this particular research field has been under scrutiny since its beginning, and the controversy about its effects, both good and bad, remain.