5 Brainwashing Techniques Used in Everyday Marketing

Brainwashing is not something taken out of a science fiction film or any other movie for that matter. There are many proven techniques that anyone can utilize. These techniques make the subject bypass normal thinking patterns found in the brain, and flip the switch that puts your mind into obey mode.

Here are five techniques commonly found today, which you may not have even notice. Just in case you were wondering, no they don't all involve sex!

1. Repeating Slogans

Every leader of a cult, every military sergeant, and every politician is aware of this technique. In order to silence those intrusive doubts that your crowd may have, get them to repeat or chant a catchy phrase or slogan. This method is one of the techniques referred to as "thought stopping", because good or bad, they are found to do exactly that.

2. Marketing towards Your Subconscious

The majority of people read headlines in a story, few actually go through and read the entire article. A single source, of course anonymous, will run a falsified headline. Rather than remembering all of the information, the brain is wired to only retain a portion of it. While we may remember the falsified headline, we will most likely forget the qualifier or the source behind it. This is called "source amnesia."

3. Restriction of what is seen and read

Controlling the material given to the people is fairly common in any given cult. On the internet, we've heard the stories or rumors behind Scientology, which goes so far as restricting what members' can access on the internet. This technique works well also outside of the cult world. The brain is wired to give the person a short high when reading or watching something that agrees with his views. The brain also gets a similar high when quickly dismissing anything that disagrees with us. So, with some influence, people can quickly find themselves in a close minded methodology of thinking.

4. Reinforcing the Idea of Shame or Mockery

If you can make the subject feel shame, even in the slightest, the subject will most likely not examine the idea to find out if it is justified. Think of high school or college kids doing something stupid, solely due to not wanting to be called a "pansy" by his peers. This works because the brains base, emotional reactions, when stimulated, can completely turn off the logical part of the brain.

5. Black and White Thinking

Think of an argument between two fans of any sports team. One side's team is always incredible while the other's is complete garbage. Rarely do we see anything in between. People are allies or enemies, every singer either awesome or terrible, black or white thinking, no middle ground. This is a key point for brainwashing, as one must choose one way or the other, one side of two extremes.