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From ... in Psychology Philosophy —

7 Tricks Mass Media and Advertisers Use to Brainwash You

Do the media and advertisers brainwash you? Why, yes, they do.

7 Tricks Mass Media and Advertisers Use to Brainwash You

And most times, you don’t even know what’s happening until you’re so hypnotized by mass information.

Visiting social media or reading the newspaper seems like an ordinary way to start the day. But honestly, you’re being brainwashed while browsing the news and entertainment.

Mass media and advertisements feed off the reaction to lies they tell and the false information they spread. They market products by slipping images and repetitive words into your brain while you’re laughing at their creativity. Mass media is genius.

Does mass media brainwash you?

So, are you being played? Um, probably. But do you actually like how media and various companies flirt with your sensibilities and emotions? Well, honestly, it doesn’t matter.

Whether you’re going along for the ride or being taken captive, mass media is using every opportunity to wash your brain for their own gain. Here are some of the tricks they play.

1. Subliminal messages

The magic of subliminal messages is that we don’t know what’s happened until we’ve formed an opinion out of nowhere.

When the media uses subliminal influence, it’s usually not too severe–most subliminal messages come in the form of flashing images or repetitive words. Although many of these subliminal messages are short-lived and mildly effective, some long-termed messages can completely transform your decision-making strategies.

2. Pushing recognition

Advertisements on television and other media sources thrive on simple logo recognition. It’s part of the initial marketing strategy. It’s also a form of brainwashing that’s very effective.

For instance, if the brand logo is red, and the color red is shown throughout a commercial, it becomes a constant reminder. It’s subtle but causes the brain to retain logo and brand name memories.

3. Fake news

One major way of brainwashing society is the use of fake news. This is probably one of the most widespread ways of manipulating the public through mass media. And this doesn’t always mean blatant false news.

Sometimes fake news will include both untrue statements woven with facts to make the news believable. Over time, the basic idea of the story becomes completely false. Fake news is so common that we, as humans, are used to believing things simply because it’s been reported in a false manner for years.

4. Emotional conditioning

Advertisers brainwash you by infecting your emotions. That’s right, your feelings will drive you to purchase products or believe statements when paired with something that makes you “warm and fuzzy” inside. The nostalgia of certain commercials can also make companies feel more trustworthy.

5. Social isolation

The media can successfully isolate us from those who think differently. We are brainwashed into thinking that we should NOT associate with anyone who has views that vary, even slightly, from our own.

Usually, we find these opposing views in places such as social media, which isn’t exactly “news”. Rather, it’s primarily political statements or opinions paired with stuff like vacation photos. It’s a simple trick, but social isolation is quite effective at brainwashing society.

6. Memory recollection

Most of the time, we ignore insurance ads or popular social media banners. However, when we need the services of these brands, we tend to remember the most common jingle or logo.

What I mean is that when we get hungry, it’s possible that we recall a song associated with a local restaurant chain, and then we choose to pick up a snack from that establishment. This works with almost any company. What stands out the most in our downtime is what gets our first attention when we need something.

7. Personal agendas

Sometimes brainwashing is done by simply serving up a personal agenda. This nods back to politics, as most media sources lean toward one political party or the other.

Yes, there are those who strive to be independent, but it’s more common to see the most prevalent opposers vying for attention. Thus, we are often manipulated by what others want personally. This is why it’s so important to think for ourselves despite the compelling news we get daily.

How does brainwashing make you feel?

So, what do you think? Do you really think mass media and advertisements strive to brainwash you all the time? I am inclined to say… yes.

After all, most companies, no matter what morals or standards they hold, are going to pull out all the stops when it comes to making money and seeking attention. That’s what the media and various companies grow from. Without our support, they would probably crumble.

But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t wise up to brainwashing. I think we should refer back to these tricks every time we feel as though we’re being bamboozled. We should strive to protect our minds and think for ourselves before and after purchasing products and voting for politicians—it kind of works in similar ways.

So, protect your mind, and don’t let mass media wash your brain.

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