top of page
Writer's pictureSandra

Psychology: Priming as a booster for behavior change

Priming was first mentioned by psychologist Karl Lashley in the 1950s and means “to prepare/preheat/lead”.


“In psychology we speak of priming when a certain stimulus influences the subsequent ways of thinking, feeling and behaving associated with it.” The prime activates association fields in the brain and triggers associated behavior. 


A little experiment: What do you think of when I say table?  

Priming is an area that has already been very well-researched psychologically and numerous studies have revealed many valuable findings. It is clear today, that unconscious stimuli influence each of us. In fact, people who deny these unconscious processes are most at risk of being manipulated. 


This unconscious process usually takes place within 30 milliseconds and means that the conscious reaction occurs much faster than without priming. Priming is something like a bridge between your subconscious and your conscious cognitive actions. 


The most frequently mentioned answer to the question in the experiment is probably “chair or armchair” and not, for example, “toothbrush”. This has to do with the fact that our neural network has stored these associations in the same “category”. 


The Stroop Experiment:

However, that does not mean that we are helpless at the mercy of the subconscious. People who are “aware” of this unconscious process, for example, often devalue advertising messages, doubt them more often or even completely delete the priming effects. They can even turn into the opposite. In addition, a study has shown that the Prime (e.g. brand name of the ice tea) has to cover a need (thirst) to have a stronger effect.   


So we will never have complete control, but we can certainly deal with stimuli consciously. 


Of course, we can use this for your personal development in a positive sense. Feel free to contact me: https://de.move-development.com/kontakt  




Source: Priming - Stärkende Räume entstehen lassen, Christa Kolodej, 2022stehen lassen, Christa Kolodej, 2022

Comentarios


bottom of page