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Psychophysiological responses to subliminal auditory suggestions for activation
F Borgeat1, J Boissonneault, L Chaloult
1University of Montreal, Cité de la santé Hospital, Laval, Québec, Canada.
Perceptual and Motor Skills
|December 1, 1989
Summary
Subliminal auditory suggestions influenced heart rate during a stressing task, but not skin conductance. This study confirms the reliability of heart rate measures for detecting preconscious stimulation effects.
Area of Science:
- Psychophysiology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- The Borgeat and Goulet (1983) experimental procedure investigated subliminal auditory suggestions.
- Previous research suggested these suggestions could influence physiological responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To further characterize the Borgeat and Goulet (1983) experimental procedure.
- To investigate the impact of subliminal auditory suggestions on physiological responses (heart rate, skin conductance) under stress.
Main Methods:
- 20 participants were exposed to alternating activating or neutral auditory suggestions.
- Suggestions were presented at 25 dB, masked by 40 dB white noise.
- Physiological responses (heart rate, skin conductance) were measured during a stressing task.
Main Results:
- Activating suggestions significantly affected heart rate.
- No significant effect was observed on skin conductance.
- Statistical analyses (ANOVA, ANCOVA) supported these findings.
Conclusions:
- The findings partially confirm previous results on subliminal stimulation.
- Heart rate is a reliable indicator for detecting preconscious stimulation effects.
- A stressing task is crucial for revealing the impact of subliminal auditory suggestions.