Advertising And Synthesis Essay

Advertising has affected millions and enticed the minds of many throughout decades. Whether it be a disturbing image about child hunger you pass on the freeway or your favorite superbowl commercial, everyone one has seen an ad. What many fail to recognize is the powerful effect these seemingly harmless posters and commercials have on society. Advertising today is filled with covert tricks that manipulate our thinking and change the way we act, but often not in a positive manor. The fact that smoking is life threatening is common knowledge for the majority of Americans in today’s society. Then why do so many people still smoke? How are cigarette stores and companies still in business? Advertisements. Although most smoking ads we see …show more content…
Often in ads people see seemingly “perfect” people acting out everyday life just the viewers imagine themselves to be, except one important key factor is different. These “people” not only have flawless skin and glowing white teeth, but they are a size 0. Advertising has instilled false expectations into its viewers and has led to permanent changes in society. “Unfortunately…(i)t can reinforce racial, cultural, and sexual stereotypes.” (Source D) In Fiji, a study was recently conducted on women. Scientist surveyed women that had never seen tv or commercials before and inquired about how they feel about the bodily appearance and overall self-confidence. The majority of these women testified that they were confident in the weight and appearance. These women were then compared to women that had been exposed to television commercials. The majority of these women reported feelings of self-consciousness and depression about their overall image. This negative correlation has been linked with the advertisements we view every day of the “perfect people” of Hollywood. Too often people fail to recognize the degrading effects of advertisements in society. “It can make us unsatisfied with who we are…” (Source D). The force of advertising is strong and can be negative is not used …show more content…
They may use these methods as a way to capture your attention, but ultimately they want you to buy their product. The alarming thing that many fail to recognize is that, “...advertising works below the level of conscious works below the level of conscious awareness…” (Source E). These companies want these ads to grab their viewers attention, and they will do anything to encapture you. Whether one finds oneself stuck watching an ad about a man being reunited with his horse or their favorite celebrity offering their testimonial, they must think to twice to see if they are being tricked. The next time the viewer comes in contact with that product they will be subconsciously reunited with those feelings and desire to buy it, with having any clue why. The power of advertising is not one to mess with, and it has proven to alter the mindsets of the