New methodological advice for research in subliminal psychodynamic activation

Recent integration among approaches to perception without awareness has bro ught the usefulness of Subliminal Psychodynamic Activation into renewed loc us. Several authors have discussed the possible detrimental impact on inter pretation when control phrases are used that fur some participants may be l ess than affectively neutral (e.g., Fudin, 1986; Greenberg, 1997). In this continuing commentary, we argue that the neutrality of a substantive stimul us is an insoluble issue, and instead the suitability of controls for a giv en study should be emphasized. Also, we discuss the apparent confusion betw een experimental psychodynamics and efforts to answer Greenwald`s 1992 "two -word challenge."