Dictionary > Subliminal stimulus

Subliminal stimulus

Definition
noun, plural: subliminal stimuli
(physiology) A stimulus inadequate to generate an action potential and thereby does not evoke a response
(psychology) A stimulus below the threshold-line for conscious perception but can evoke affective reactions without awareness
Supplement
(Physiology) A stimulus with an adequate intensity can generate an action potential. But stimulus having intensity below the threshold will not be able to. The stimulus below threshold is referred to as subliminal. There should be a change in an action potential in order to evoke a response. In evoking a contraction of a skeletal muscle, for instance, the stimulus has to be liminal (i.e. adequate in strength and duration) to cause a depolarization and produce an action potential. When an action potential is reached, it will lead to cascading events resulting in the contraction of skeletal muscle fibers in a motor unit.
(Psychology) In psychological research, a subliminal stimulus is a kind of stimulus wherein it may be perceived and processed in the brain but does not elicit awareness of perception. For instance, a recipient of a subliminal stimulus may be able to perceive it but may not be consciously aware of it. This precept is used in advertising or marketing where a subliminal stimulus (e.g. music or image flashing) is incorporated to an ad but not enough to elicit conscious threshold and yet affect the consumer’s brand choice.
Word origin: Latin sub’-‘ (under) + Latin līmen” (threshold) + stimulus
Synonym(s):

  • inadequate stimulus
  • subthreshold stimulus

Compare:

  • supraliminal stimulus
  • See also:


    You will also like...

    A chart depicting Mendel's Law of Dominance
    Mendel’s Law & Mendelian Genetics

    One of Mendel’s law of inheritance is the “law of dominance”. Read this tutorial to know more about this form of i..

    An artist's depiction of the origin of amphibians
    Amphibians & Early Reptiles

    Obtaining air outside an aquatic environment required species to acquire suitable adaptations, and this was the case of ..

    Lake Wakatipu, New Zealand
    New Zealand’s Unique Geographical History

    Explore why New Zealand has such unique flora and fauna, and learn why long periods of geographical isolation. This less..

    Birth Control and Contraception
    Birth Control and Contraception

    Different pregnancy and birth control and contraception strategies are described. Read this tutorial to learn each of th..

    Fossil trilobite imprint in the sediment
    Insects

    There are more species of insects than any other species combined. This surely illustrates that insects have the selecti..

    Thermographic image of face and neck
    Regulation of Organic Metabolism, Growth and Energy Balance

    The human body is capable of regulating growth and energy balance through various feedback mechanisms. Get to know the e..

    Related Articles...

    No related articles found

    See all Related Topics