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Priming

Definition

Priming is a technique whereby exposure to one stimulus influences a response to a subsequent stimulus, without conscious guidance or intention.

Analogy

Consider priming like setting up dominoes. Once you knock down one (the prime), it triggers a chain reaction affecting how all subsequent dominoes fall (the responses).

Related terms

Implicit Memory: This type of memory involves recollection that does not require conscious thought—it's automatic and uses past experiences to remember things without thinking about them, much like priming.

Cognitive Bias: These are systematic errors in thinking that affect decisions and judgments we make. Priming can sometimes lead us into these biases by influencing our perceptions subconsciously.

Perceptual Set: A perceptual set is our readiness or expectation to perceive something in a particular way, which can be influenced by factors such as priming.