Subliminal Messages and Sleep Learning |

Subliminal Messages and Sleep Learning

| By Roy Rasmussen | Category: Spirit

Subliminal messages are attempts to slip information into subconscious perception before it can be processed by the conscious mind. Since the concept was first introduced in 1897, psychologists and other experts have debated whether such subliminal stimuli have any effect on influencing behavior.

Researchers have found few examples of controlled case studies to indicate subliminal messages exert more than a fleeting effect on thinking. On the other hand, some therapists specializing in hypnosis like Milton Erickson have been able to apply subliminal techniques to produce dramatic results. Research continues into the complex relationship between subconscious input and behavior.

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Subliminal Techniques

Subliminal techniques combine relaxation with the repetition of the desired message. There are a number of techniques for introducing stimuli to the subconscious without drawing them to conscious awareness:

Changing the intensity of the stimulus to be emphasized. Commercials often film “before” images in dimmer lighting than “after” images. Likewise, ads also are often played louder than regular TV programs, though in psychological practice, whispering has actually proven more effective than shouting for sending subliminal messages.
Including the same images, sounds, words, or phrases at regular spatial intervals. Examples would be placing images on the borders of a page in a regularly spaced pattern or spelling out a word by placing one letter at the beginning of each paragraph.
Introducing the message at regularly timed intervals in rhythm, as in the meter of a song or poem.
Adding variations of an image by using a string of associated images, such as a bird, a nest, and an egg.
Repeating a series of synonyms.
Using a metaphoric story where the plot has the same structure as the subliminal message to be conveyed. A famous example is Jesus’ parables, where the audience is often symbolized by one of the characters in the story.

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Subliminal Techniques and Sleep Learning

With a little creativity, it’s easy to adapt these subliminal techniques to sleep learning. Here are a few examples:

Audios for sleep learning techniques can include words and phrases that are emphasized using whispering and other sound modification methods.
The audios can repeat words and phrases at regular rhythms to embed them into the subconscious. An example would be repeating the pronunciation of a foreign language word at regular intervals.
They can repeat a related series of words in order to reinforce an association between them, like repeating the association between a foreign language word and its English equivalent.
Audios can tell metaphoric stories designed to induce subconscious dream imagery. For instance, an audio teaching financial success secrets might include a story about a character who goes from rags to riches, as a metaphor for overcoming financial anxiety.

These are just a few examples of ways subliminal messages can be used to enhance sleep learning. With ingenuity you can probably devise many more examples to try with your own audio aids.