You see an advertisement in a magazine proclaiming "Extraordinary psychological findings show that Theta Rhythm Subliminal Tapes(tm) will dramatically improve your ability to remember new information!" According to the ad, the audio tapes contain messages embedded in the sound of sea waves but you can't consciously hear the messages. Instead, the hidden messages will "reprogram your unconscious mind by activating theta brain waves, releasing your full mental powers." The advertisement mentions "leading researchers" and "controlled double-blind studies" but does not identify the researchers by name. Which of the following statements is TRUE?
As discussed in your text, the use of subliminal stimulation can influence several cognitive abilities, including memory, attention span, and concentration.
It is safe to assume that the subliminal tapes probably work because the advertisement mentions "controlled double-blind studies," which is an important element of good experimental design.
The only reason that the advertisement does not identify the researchers by name is because it is unethical to do so according the guidelines established by the American Psychological Association.
The advertisement displays several of the key features of a pseudoscience and it is most likely that the claims are completely unsubstantiated and bogus.
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