Do you ever stop to think how strongly technology and media influence your life? Whether you realise it or not, you are being programmed daily by your environment. This happens through a psychological phenomenon called priming. But what exactly does this mean for you and how does it influence your choices and behaviour? In this blog, I will take you into the world of priming and show you how subtle signals can guide your thoughts.
What is priming anyway?
Priming is a powerful psychological phenomenon. It is the small, often unnoticed signals from your environment that influence your behaviour and decisions. This can be anything from the news you read, the ads you see on social media, to even the temperature of the drink you are holding. Without you knowing it, your brain is being "prepared" to react in a certain way, affecting your emotions, perceptions and performance.
Priming can affect our emotions, perceptions and even our performance.
A simple example: the impact of a cup of coffee
Imagine reading a story about a person and then being asked to describe that person. Research has shown that people who drink an iced coffee are more likely to judge this person negatively than people who drink a hot coffee. In an experiment, as many as 81% of those drinking a hot coffee described the main character as friendly and warm. This shows how something as simple as the temperature of your drink can affect your perception. Have you ever thought about that?
The role of social media and news in your daily priming
Every time you scroll through your social media or read the news, you get primped. You've probably heard of the expression: "If it bleeds, it leads." Negative news attracts our attention and this has a priming effect on your mood. You may not notice it right away, but the constant stream of negative information can make you feel gloomy or anxious, even if your life is actually going fine at the time.
Priming of identity
Priming can also affect your identity and performance, often without you realising it. In a Harvard study, Asian-American women were asked to fill in a questionnaire. One group was asked questions about their Asian background, the other about their gender. They then took a maths test. The women who were reminded of their Asian identity scored on average 11% higher than those who were reminded of their gender. This shows how subtle cues can guide our performance by making us embrace a particular identity.
Music that influences your choices
Think back to your last visit to the supermarket. Did you realise then what music was playing? Probably not. Yet it influenced your choices. An experiment found that customers bought more French wine when French music was playing. People did not notice the music itself, but it definitely had a subconscious influence on their buying behaviour. These kinds of subtle stimuli often guide our decisions without us realising it.
How can you be more conscious about priming?
You cannot escape priming, because it is all around you. But you can learn to deal with it better by becoming more aware of the influences coming at you. Ask yourself: "Why am I making this choice?" or "What signals shaped my response?" By asking these questions, you can learn to filter your own thoughts and make more conscious decisions.
Of course, you can also take the reigns and primp yourself!
You don't have to stand idly by while the world affects you. You can also learn to primp yourself. Imagine starting your day with positive intentions, such as gratitude and focus on your goals. This is something I teach my clients during result coaching. With simple adjustments in your morning routine, you can powerfully set your mindset and prime yourself for a productive and positive day.
Are you ready to take charge of your thoughts and emotions?
If you find that you are regularly influenced by external factors and want to learn how to take control yourself, I would love to help you. Together, we can transform your morning routine so that you start your day from a powerful mindset from now on. Send me here a message for a free introductory meeting and find out how you can primp yourself for success.
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