A Comparative Study of the Effect of Subliminal Messages on Public Speaking Ability.
A study investigated the effectiveness of subliminal techniques (such as tape recorded programs) for improving public speaking ability. It was hypothesized that students who used subliminal tapes to improve public speaking ability would perform no differently from classmates who listened to identical-sounding placebo tape programs containing no subliminal messages. Subjects, 26 students at a midwestern university, were divided into subliminal tape and placebo tape groups. Comparison of pretest and posttest surveys did not support the hypothesis. Although placebo group members evaluated their own confidence, improvement, and enjoyment higher than the subliminal group, the average final course grade of the experimental (subliminal) group was higher than that of the control (placebo) group. (Tables of data are included, notes and sample pretests and posttests are appended.) (NKA)...