Cross-modal effects of subliminal verbal stimuli

Abstract.— In a cross-modal version of an experiment by Smith et al. (1959), the effects of subliminal auditory cue words upon judgements of a supraliminal visual stimulus (a neutral face), were examined. Support was found for the hypothesis that material in an unattended channel is fully analysed for meaning, and may be integrated with material in an attended channel when it is relevant to the ongoing task. Contrary to expectations, the effects of the subliminal cues were found to carry over to trials on which the face was presented without concurrent auditory stimulation, thus providing support for the Poetzl phenomenon.