Science Fair Help Subliminal Messages

[deleted-165895]

I'm doing a science fair project on subliminal messages and i need help with ways to test this

[deleted-71536]

Hi Kristen,

This is a fascinating topic in the area of behavioral and social sciences. A quick Internet search for "subliminal messages science project" yielded some good links. Here is one: http://www.all-science-fair-projects.co ... 85_28.html Try your own search to see what you can find!

Also, you can browse some of the behavioral science projects on the Science Buddies website.
The Power of Suggestion: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p026.shtml
A social science one about people trying to get away with things if they think no one is watching: https://www.sciencebuddies.org/science- ... p013.shtml

I hope this helps you get started. Please post again (in this same thread) if you have more questions.

Heather

[deleted-165895]

What background music do you think would be best to use?

[deleted-71536]

Hi Kristen,

I am assuming you decided to do something similar to the first project I suggested (http://www.all-science-fair-projects.co ... 85_28.html). If so, the type of "background" music is entirely up to you. In fact, if you want to be ambitious, you could do a project to see if the type of music influences how effective the subliminal messages are!

If you stick with one music tape, you have two options. 1) Choose popular music so the subject is distracted and not likely to notice the subliminal messages. 2) Choose music with no words, which could risk the person becoming a bit bored with the recording but might allow the subliminal message to get through.

Again, it is really up to you. The important thing is to use the same tape for the control (no messages) and experimental (subliminal messages) trials, and to use the same tape for all of your subjects.

I hope that helps!

Heather

[deleted-165895]

Heather
At first i was planning on testing different types of music but i couldn't decide on songs to use and who to test on. Right now I am planning on testing how effective on different 4 different age groups like 5-13, 14-20, 21-40, 50+ (Do you think you could help with age groups? I don't want to have to many) Then how many do you think would be a good amount of people per age group I should test on? Lastly to test the effectiveness I was thinking based off of the your first idea about having them choose one M&M they want and then after listening to the music have them pick out one other M&M of their choice. What do you think any other ideas?
Thank you,
Kristen

[deleted-140482]

Kristen,

I think you are coming up with some great ideas for your project. I think your 4 age groups sound very reasonable, so I don't see any reason you can't stick with them. As for your sample size (number of people per age group), more is always better. The larger your sample size , the less chance any results you see are due to random chance, so I would aim to have about 10 people per group if possible. If you don't end up getting good sample sizes, then you can include your small sample size as a limitation in your study when you report your results.

I think it's fine to have your samples choose M&Ms before and after listening to your music, but I might model it slightly more off the study heatherL found, and have them pick say 5 M&Ms each time. You also may want to consider having your subjects listen to the music more than once, just to boost any effect you have.

I hope this helps and it sounds like you are really doing well setting up your project!

JMP