Priming Effect
We are influenced by subconscious cues, such as, sights, language, sounds and smell.
The research
College students filled out a test with a distinctive citrus-scented smell in the room; others completed it in a room with no smell. When given a crumbly cookie to eat, students in the room with the citrus smell kept their environment far tidier without even being aware of the priming smell.
Holland et al. (2005). Smells like clean spirit: Nonconscious effects of scent on cognition and behavior.
The smallest seed of an idea can grow.
Case study
A small image of a pair of eyes was placed on the wall near the honesty box at a school cafeteria. Teachers paid almost 3 times the amount for milk consumed on days when there was an image of eyes compared to an image of flowers.
Thought starters
Visual — Try visual graphics that get people to rethink decisions
Language — Use words that relate to the desired behaviour
Sound and smell — Prompts that trigger past memories and associations