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07/25/2007: "Advertising is pure psychological manipulation"

In a new study, researchers demonstrate how advertisements can be manipulated to cause overemphasis of a particular feature, and increase the likelihood that a certain product is chosen. Their finding runs contrary to economic models, which assume that choices are based on stable preferences and should not be influenced by the inclusion of inferior options.

[ It took scientists to tell us this? Here's advertising: put assurance of evolutionary reproductive success next to the product, and imply correlation. It has nothing to do with the quality of the product. You can buy fine wine for the same price as a Coke, but do you? Ask yourself why. ]

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/07/070725143447.htm