The ethics of subliminal communication

Gratz, J. E.

doi:10.1007/bf00382916

Cited by 10 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…Two issues are in play here that are directly relevant for the discussion of emotion management in advertising: conscious awareness and autonomy. With respect to the former, Gratz (1984) argues that the ethical dilemma in subliminal advertising arises from the potential to infl uence thoughts and behaviors without a viewer's knowledge, Ethical Issues in Emotional Influence which is consistent with a deontological perspective. Even if unconscious effects are small and even if the ads are used to change attitudes in a positive direction (e.g., public service announcements on health behaviors), Gratz still sees unconscious means of infl uence as ethically risky because of the invasion of the viewer's privacy without consent.…”

Section: Ethical Issues Related To Emotion In Other Direct Marketingmentioning

confidence: 78%

Managed Hearts and Wallets: Ethical Issues in Emotional Influence By and Within Organizations

Fulmer¹,

Barry²

2009

Bus Ethics Q

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ABSTRACT:Increasing research attention to the ways that firms seek to influence the emotions of employees, consumers, and other stakeholders has not been accompanied by systematic attention to the ethical dimensions of emotion management. In this article we review and discuss research that informs the morality of influencing and regulating the emotions of others. What are the moral limits of the use of emotion as a management tool for shaping workplace behavior and influencing the thoughts and actions of consumers? Do the ethics of emotional labor and emotional appeals (e.g., in consumer advertising) depart from moral rules that apply in “non-emotional” contexts? To explore these questions we examine research on the means by which individuals’ emotions are shaped and on the organizationally relevant consequences of individual emotional experience. We then discuss a number of potential ethical issues that are implicit or explicit in the organizationally sanctioned use of emotion management, incorporating existing literature in management and business ethics that has addressed the moral obligations of organizations in this context, and highlighting areas where there is yet work to be done. We conclude by discussing the implications of our analysis.

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Section: Ethical Issues Related To Emotion In Other Direct Marketingmentioning

confidence: 78%

Managed Hearts and Wallets: Ethical Issues in Emotional Influence By and Within Organizations

Fulmer¹,

Barry²

2009

Bus Ethics Q

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“…Importantly though, it is the firm's use of the technique, rather than its effectiveness, that signifies deception, and which stimulates debate (e.g. Gratz 1984;Kelly 1979). These concerns are demonstrated most radically by some countries prohibiting subliminal messaging by regulatory control -e.g.…”

Section: Gamification Ethics and Engagementmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Ethics of Gamification in a Marketing Context

Thorpe

Roper

2017

J Bus Ethics

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Gamification is an increasingly common marketing tool. Yet, to date, there has been little examination of its ethical implications. In light of the potential implications of this type of stealth marketing for consumer welfare, this paper discusses the ethical dilemmas raised by the use of gamified approaches to marketing. The paper draws on different schools of ethics to examine gamification as an overall system, as well as its constituent parts. This discussion leads to a rationale and suggestions for how gamification could be regulated and/or controlled by more informal codes of conduct. The paper ends by outlining a practical framework which businesses can use to evaluate the potential ethical implications raised by their own gamified marketing techniques.

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“…This brief review of conflicting theories and research findings casts strong doubt on Saegert's (1987) conclusion that we know enough about the nature of the effects of subliminal stimulation to dismiss it as an area of concern. Given the continuing interest in this topic by the general public, academicians and marketing students/practitioners alike (Advertising Age 1984;Brody 1982;Cuperfain and Clarke 1985;Garfield 1984;Gratz 1984;Haberstroh 1984;Lander 1981;Loeb 1982;Marketing News 1985;Natale 1988;Ross 1984;Vokey and Read 1985;Zanot, Pincus, and Lamp 1983), the profession needs to provide sound empirical evidence of the effects, or lack thereof, of subliminal stimuli.…”

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confidence: 98%