Truth in advertising

Now, there is no doubt that Mosquitoes can help transmit west Nile disease, but using that to advertise is just low, it's based on fear of disease.

In advertising there are so many low tricks that play on the human psychology to get to the consumer.... I'll try to list some of them here

Everyone does it, why don't you?

This one is very famous. In a study, it was proved that people tend to follow trends. It stems from our genes I guess. The experiment that proved this (you may replicate to prove) Was that they would place one guy in a crowd at a specific moment he would look up, and stare at a point. The reaction of the crowd was that some would actually look up at the same point

They repeat the same experiment with 10 people and they suddenly all looked at a spot, and almost everyone looked there. Why you might ask, imagine a time where our human existence was based on quick reflexes to evade danger or to capture a pray. Apparently people who looked, survived, and people who didn't, just didn't make it. So it became imprinted in our genes somehow

People in Authority appealing to consumers

This one is interesting. Apparently, we're also imprinted with following people of authority. The test they made in this case, was simple. How do you convince people to Jaywalk. When some random guy walked. People just didn't follow. Then they brought a guy in a military suit and people just seemed to follow. Apparently, in the old times, people seemed to follow warriors and chieftains. And people who didn't ... well ... I guess they're no longer with us

People follow attractive people...

I guess this one is obvious. If something is good enough for pretty people, then it must be good for others too. People love to imitate pretty people. A pretty guy, appeals more to the female audience regardless of how good of an actor he is (Think Brad Pitt vs John Malkovich)

Getting something on a deadline or when it's limited

Creating an urge that something is going to run out, seems to work too. For some reason that drives people nuts and makes them just go out and get what ever is about to run out. Again, stemming out of our prehistoric ancestors. If the word was out that water is going to be in short supply, people used to rush to get some before it's all gone. And that will to survive that fuels what we do now.

Believing subject matter experts.

Imagine someone on the street proposing a wonder drug to you, you'd immediately dismiss what they claim. But if a Doctor does it, it makes a whole different kind of argument. We believe doctors (or we want to believe) that's why we try to follow their claims, no matter how absurd it might be

Listen to your parents

Yes yes, we always try to "not listen" but our subconscious minds still do. That's why in many commercials you will see the mother telling the daughter or son� to do something.

Finally, last but not least.... Fear

Do this or die, but this to prolong your life. Buy this to protect you from aids ... etc etc

There must be many other reasons, but next time you feel the urge to buy something, remember these tricks that advertisers use to entice you to buy their crap!