On the activation of symbiotic gratification fantasies as an aid in the treatment of alcoholics

Subliminal Psychodynamic Activation: Mommy and I are Not Yet One

Aspects of Silverman's subliminal psychodynamic activation (SPA) method are critically evaluated and SPA results are discussed within the context of information processing. Silverman's method has questionable features that involve visual-field position of the stimulus and structural matching of experimental and control stimuli. It lacks the converging operations required to support his contention that successful SPA experimental outcomes are due to differences in the contents of experimental and control stimuli. Evidence is offered to support the 1984 contention of Bornstein and Masling that SPA research has several unanswered questions about how consciously non-perceived stimuli are encoded and how such information can influence subsequent behavior. Extensive procedural changes for further SPA research are offered.

Subliminal psychodynamic activation: updated comprehensive list of experimental results and comments on previous lists

A comprehensive list of results from visual subliminal psychodynamic activation experiments is presented. This list includes results reported since the publication of the last comprehensive list by Weinberger and Hardaway in 1990 and several results not found on that list. On the present list, SPA results are categorized according to criteria that we contend are more objective than those used previously. In contrast to conclusions drawn from previous lists prepared by Silverman in 1980 and 1983, by Weinberger and Hardaway in 1990, and by Weinberger and Silverman in 1987, the present list indicates that the results of a majority of experiments do not clearly support hypotheses tested by the subliminal psychodynamic activation method. Aspects of Hardaway's meta-analyses from 1987 and 1990 for major areas of research on subliminal psychodynamic activation are discussed in terms of suggestions for further research.

Review of auditory subliminal psychodynamic activation experiments

Subliminal psychodynamic activation experiments using auditory stimuli have yielded only a modicum of support for the contention that such activation produces predictable behavioral changes. Problems in many auditory subliminal psychodynamic activation experiments indicate that those predictions have not been tested adequately. The auditory mode of presentation, however, has several methodological advantages over the visual one, the method used in the vast majority of subliminal psychodynamic activation experiments. Consequently, it should be considered in subsequent research in this area.

Subliminal stimulation and cognitive and motor performance

The present experiment investigated whether subliminally exposed messages affect cognitive and motor performance and whether personality factors can explain interindividual differences in this respect. According to Silverman (1983), people have a symbiotic fantasy, that is, a need for symbiotic oneness with the mother figure. This need can temporarily be satisfied by a tachistoscopic exposure of the message "Mommy and I are one." By relieving the unconscious conflict, psychological tension is reduced. Using these notions, it was hypothesized that different measures of performance should be improved. The results indicate that both cognitive performance, in terms of the ability to interpret incomplete and fragmented pictures, and motor performance, in terms of the ability to follow a printed line with a stylus, is improved by this procedure compared to that of a control group exposed to the neutral message "People are walking." However, it was not possible to relate these changes to individual differences in terms of the individual's structure of his psychological defense system as measured by the Defense Mechanism Test (DMT). Other possible explanations are discussed.

Subliminal stimulation of symbiotic fantasies as an aid in the treatment of drug abusers

Forty-seven heroin addicts being treated at the New York VA Methadone Clinic were divided into an experimental and a control group. In addition to the regular methadone treatment program, both groups received subliminal exposures to a verbal message for 24 sessions (4 times a week for 6 weeks). The messages were MOMMY AND I ARE ONE (experimental) and PEOPLE ARE WALKING (control), administered under double-blind conditions. In keeping with the main hypothesis, the experimental subjects, when compared with controls, showed a greater decrease in their use of heroin and other illicit drugs during the postintervention period. Additionally, on a follow-up questionnaire, the experimental subjects reported being more in control of their drug habits and more effective in their work than did those in the control group. Also, analysis of the patients' reported dreams revealed that the experimental group had more dreams containing positive interactions with a significant woman or son than did the control group.