We're subconsciously conditioned since birth. We look at a stove and think hot, we feel fur and picture an animal, we see something appetizing and start salivating. Conditioning is forming associations among stimuli. But this phenomenon isn't only seen in Pavlov's research lab.
Few are as familiar with the power of conditioning as advertisers. They repeatedly pair visuals or other stimuli with their product to establish a profitable association. By presenting hot chicks in bikinis with vodka, in our minds we create a connection between the two.
To me it's mind-blowing how easily our subconscious is manipulated. By advertisers repeating these suggestions, they hope to stamp their product in our brains. But hey, if it works, go with it. While it's slightly alarming to know how well this manipulation works, we still have the choice to say no. While that Coke in the vending machine may look tempting...
our college budgets push us towards the water fountain.
While strong advertising can affect our decisions, we still make those choices on our own. It's up to you what you want to spend your money on.
Vodka = Bikini Chicks
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The use of pictures in this blog made it more interesting to read and supported the points made. Advertisers definitely do take advantage of our potential to be subconsciously conditioned. It's almost entirely what the career of advertisement thrives off of. I also find it mind-blowing how easily our subconscious can be manipulated. It seems it should be commonsense for us to catch the manipulation, and realize drinking or eating a particular brand or at a particular place, will not make us look like the actor/model that is shown in the advertisement; yet subconsciously we falsely make that connection.
Interesting approach to the external, material driven, advertising consumed world. My english class is discussing the impact of advertisements on racism and sexism and I find it quite interesting to see such a strong correlation between people's desires and media's advertisements. I believe you make a good case in saying that "we still make those choices on our own," however, I also believe there is more to it than that. Although it is a person's choice on what to spend money on, advertisements also hit the emotion button in our brains. we perceive these advertisements as more than simply advertisements- we look at them as facts rather than ideas. Human's crave the feeling of acceptance and one easy way of feeling accepted is by following the trends that media lays in front of us. It's one thing to decide water over coca-cola, but what happens when the ads become more personal than just your beverage choice?
I truly agree with what you have to say about the temptation of advertisement. Even tough many of us are very easily manipulative, some of us are not and the reasons for that could be mainly our budget as a student. For me, i dont really go out and buy things that i could easily avoid so i won't have to spend unnecessary money.
I definitely agree with what you're saying. It is very alarming to see that our minds are so easily manipulated. Scientists are always claiming how much of an advanced species we are, yet a simple pairing, as in classical conditioning, our minds are so easily susceptible to it.
I agree with what you're saying. I am often drawn into these kinds of ads and I will admit I would be more inclined to buy the expensive bottle of vodka with the ad showing people at a beach having a party, but because I'm poor I have to buy the cheap rum. There's just something about knowing that you're drinking the good liquor that depicts a fun party that makes you feel like you're having a better time. Its funny how our minds can be manipulated by simple phrases or images.
The pictures you used in this blog really displayed your point well! But it is crazy to think how many different ads that we look at in a day and do not realize how easily our mind is subconsciously manipulated. Companies advertising their products really know exactly how to get to the public.
Ha! I love the picture at the end. Yes, it is true that we are making decisions on our own, but the question we should ask ourselves is how much are we affected by advertising? And also, I'm wondering how certain people may be affected differently by advertising (stronger, weaker).
I love the way you used pictures in your blog post. I also like how you made this blog really funny. And you have an amazing title that will probably draw in a lot of people, especially guys. In the end, advertisement is everywhere, and it is using psychology every time. It really works for the customers, and these companies spend a lot of money advertising because it does help increase profits.