Mixing
Word similar to 'insidious' or 'pernicious', with a non-negative connotation
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I'm looking to describe an effect caused by using a particular construction in English, and the fact that it affects the listener and the whole of their thought processes whithout the listener being aware of it. The words insidious or pernicious would almost do, but these have negative connotations. The effect here is neither positive or negative.
The use of (x) has a(n) _____ effect on our mental processes.
That sentence requires an adjective, but an adverb would do just as well :
The use of (x) affects our mental processes _____ .
single-word-requests
asked 2 hours ago
Araucaria
34.3k963137
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
I'm looking to describe an effect caused by using a particular construction in English, and the fact that it affects the listener and the whole of their thought processes whithout the listener being aware of it. The words insidious or pernicious would almost do, but these have negative connotations. The effect here is neither positive or negative.
The use of (x) has a(n) _____ effect on our mental processes.
That sentence requires an adjective, but an adverb would do just as well :
The use of (x) affects our mental processes _____ .
single-word-requests
asked 2 hours ago
Araucaria
34.3k963137
1
I guess "pervasive" would still be too negative in its connotation?
– Wordster
1 hour ago
@Wordster I've discounted 'pervasive' already because it doesn't necessarily have the sense of it happening without anyone knowing (and as you hint it has a mildly negative connotation ...) :-) Keep suggesting!
– Araucaria
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
up vote
3
down vote
favorite
I'm looking to describe an effect caused by using a particular construction in English, and the fact that it affects the listener and the whole of their thought processes whithout the listener being aware of it. The words insidious or pernicious would almost do, but these have negative connotations. The effect here is neither positive or negative.
The use of (x) has a(n) _____ effect on our mental processes.
That sentence requires an adjective, but an adverb would do just as well :
The use of (x) affects our mental processes _____ .
single-word-requests
asked 2 hours ago
Araucaria
34.3k963137
I'm looking to describe an effect caused by using a particular construction in English, and the fact that it affects the listener and the whole of their thought processes whithout the listener being aware of it. The words insidious or pernicious would almost do, but these have negative connotations. The effect here is neither positive or negative.
The use of (x) has a(n) _____ effect on our mental processes.
That sentence requires an adjective, but an adverb would do just as well :
The use of (x) affects our mental processes _____ .
single-word-requests
single-word-requests
asked 2 hours ago
Araucaria
34.3k963137
asked 2 hours ago
Araucaria
34.3k963137
edited 1 hour ago
asked 2 hours ago
Araucaria
34.3k963137
asked 2 hours ago
Araucaria
34.3k963137
asked 2 hours ago
Araucaria
34.3k963137
34.3k963137
1
I guess "pervasive" would still be too negative in its connotation?
– Wordster
1 hour ago
@Wordster I've discounted 'pervasive' already because it doesn't necessarily have the sense of it happening without anyone knowing (and as you hint it has a mildly negative connotation ...) :-) Keep suggesting!
– Araucaria
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
1
I guess "pervasive" would still be too negative in its connotation?
– Wordster
1 hour ago
@Wordster I've discounted 'pervasive' already because it doesn't necessarily have the sense of it happening without anyone knowing (and as you hint it has a mildly negative connotation ...) :-) Keep suggesting!
– Araucaria
1 hour ago
1
1
I guess "pervasive" would still be too negative in its connotation?
– Wordster
1 hour ago
I guess "pervasive" would still be too negative in its connotation?
– Wordster
1 hour ago
@Wordster I've discounted 'pervasive' already because it doesn't necessarily have the sense of it happening without anyone knowing (and as you hint it has a mildly negative connotation ...) :-) Keep suggesting!
– Araucaria
1 hour ago
@Wordster I've discounted 'pervasive' already because it doesn't necessarily have the sense of it happening without anyone knowing (and as you hint it has a mildly negative connotation ...) :-) Keep suggesting!
– Araucaria
1 hour ago
add a comment |Â
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
A stimulus that is below the threshold of conscious perception, but nevertheless influences one’s mental processes is said to be subliminal, or to influence them subliminally. As the OP requested, characterising some influence on a person as subliminal, does not imply anything as to whether the influence, or the motivation for it, is good, bad, or neutral. The Wikipedia article on the topic provides a serviceable explanation of the concept. The term started out as a technical term of psychology, but quite a few people have by now heard at least some popular outline of this phenomenon to be able to understand the term. In informal speaking and writing, the term is often used more loosely than among professional psychologists.
answered 48 mins ago
jsw29
62616
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up vote
1
down vote
Permeating:
to pass into or through every part of
to be diffused through; pervade; saturate
answered 1 hour ago
Wordster
420213
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
subtle TFD
a. So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle
smile. b. Difficult to understand; abstruse:
As in:
The use of (x) has a subtle effect on our mental processes.
answered 1 hour ago
lbf
14.5k21456
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
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Could I perhaps venture surreptitious? Perhaps, again too negative. Its synonyms are given as things like covert, sneaky etc.
answered 1 hour ago
WS2
50.4k26110235
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up vote
1
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In this particular context, I would use subconscious1. From Oxford Dictionaries:
Of or concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings.
This is a fairly neutral term, and captures the sense of affecting thought processes without the thinker's conscious awareness. It would work adverbially, as well, so you could say either
The use of (x) has a subconscious effect on our mental processes.
Or
The use of (x) subconsciously affects on our mental processes.
If those don't sound strong enough, you could add a modifier (and could potentially drop the phrase "mental processes, since that is implied in the term) for something like
The use of (x) has various/widespread/pervasive subconscious effects.
1Or unconscious if you want to be consistent with technical psychoanalytic terminology. However, in a lay setting I think subconscious is at least as common.
answered 46 mins ago
1006a
19.4k23583
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up vote
1
down vote
Discreet, discreetly, perhaps - Unobtrusive, understated; not ostentatious or eye-catching (OED)
answered 17 mins ago
Dan
14.6k32156
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up vote
0
down vote
The use of (x) has a background effect on our mental processes.
This word has no connotations at all and merely states that something is not in the foreground. In this case the item is in the background of the mental processes and, thus, is not noticed in the cognitive process but is definitely present as an influence.
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answered 1 hour ago
Nigel J
16.3k93975
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up vote
0
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Or perhaps subliminal/subliminally
adjective Psychology.
existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or
employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete
sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to
influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual.
The use of X has a subliminal effect on our mental processes
answered 15 mins ago
S Conroy
2,3361321
add a comment |Â
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
8 Answers
8
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
2
down vote
A stimulus that is below the threshold of conscious perception, but nevertheless influences one’s mental processes is said to be subliminal, or to influence them subliminally. As the OP requested, characterising some influence on a person as subliminal, does not imply anything as to whether the influence, or the motivation for it, is good, bad, or neutral. The Wikipedia article on the topic provides a serviceable explanation of the concept. The term started out as a technical term of psychology, but quite a few people have by now heard at least some popular outline of this phenomenon to be able to understand the term. In informal speaking and writing, the term is often used more loosely than among professional psychologists.
answered 48 mins ago
jsw29
62616
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
A stimulus that is below the threshold of conscious perception, but nevertheless influences one’s mental processes is said to be subliminal, or to influence them subliminally. As the OP requested, characterising some influence on a person as subliminal, does not imply anything as to whether the influence, or the motivation for it, is good, bad, or neutral. The Wikipedia article on the topic provides a serviceable explanation of the concept. The term started out as a technical term of psychology, but quite a few people have by now heard at least some popular outline of this phenomenon to be able to understand the term. In informal speaking and writing, the term is often used more loosely than among professional psychologists.
answered 48 mins ago
jsw29
62616
add a comment |Â
up vote
2
down vote
up vote
2
down vote
A stimulus that is below the threshold of conscious perception, but nevertheless influences one’s mental processes is said to be subliminal, or to influence them subliminally. As the OP requested, characterising some influence on a person as subliminal, does not imply anything as to whether the influence, or the motivation for it, is good, bad, or neutral. The Wikipedia article on the topic provides a serviceable explanation of the concept. The term started out as a technical term of psychology, but quite a few people have by now heard at least some popular outline of this phenomenon to be able to understand the term. In informal speaking and writing, the term is often used more loosely than among professional psychologists.
answered 48 mins ago
jsw29
62616
A stimulus that is below the threshold of conscious perception, but nevertheless influences one’s mental processes is said to be subliminal, or to influence them subliminally. As the OP requested, characterising some influence on a person as subliminal, does not imply anything as to whether the influence, or the motivation for it, is good, bad, or neutral. The Wikipedia article on the topic provides a serviceable explanation of the concept. The term started out as a technical term of psychology, but quite a few people have by now heard at least some popular outline of this phenomenon to be able to understand the term. In informal speaking and writing, the term is often used more loosely than among professional psychologists.
answered 48 mins ago
jsw29
62616
answered 48 mins ago
jsw29
62616
answered 48 mins ago
jsw29
62616
answered 48 mins ago
jsw29
62616
62616
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Permeating:
to pass into or through every part of
to be diffused through; pervade; saturate
answered 1 hour ago
Wordster
420213
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Permeating:
to pass into or through every part of
to be diffused through; pervade; saturate
answered 1 hour ago
Wordster
420213
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Permeating:
to pass into or through every part of
to be diffused through; pervade; saturate
answered 1 hour ago
Wordster
420213
Permeating:
to pass into or through every part of
to be diffused through; pervade; saturate
answered 1 hour ago
Wordster
420213
answered 1 hour ago
Wordster
420213
answered 1 hour ago
Wordster
420213
answered 1 hour ago
Wordster
420213
420213
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
subtle TFD
a. So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle
smile. b. Difficult to understand; abstruse:
As in:
The use of (x) has a subtle effect on our mental processes.
answered 1 hour ago
lbf
14.5k21456
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
subtle TFD
a. So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle
smile. b. Difficult to understand; abstruse:
As in:
The use of (x) has a subtle effect on our mental processes.
answered 1 hour ago
lbf
14.5k21456
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
subtle TFD
a. So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle
smile. b. Difficult to understand; abstruse:
As in:
The use of (x) has a subtle effect on our mental processes.
answered 1 hour ago
lbf
14.5k21456
subtle TFD
a. So slight as to be difficult to detect or describe; elusive: a subtle
smile. b. Difficult to understand; abstruse:
As in:
The use of (x) has a subtle effect on our mental processes.
answered 1 hour ago
lbf
14.5k21456
answered 1 hour ago
lbf
14.5k21456
answered 1 hour ago
lbf
14.5k21456
answered 1 hour ago
lbf
14.5k21456
14.5k21456
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Could I perhaps venture surreptitious? Perhaps, again too negative. Its synonyms are given as things like covert, sneaky etc.
answered 1 hour ago
WS2
50.4k26110235
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Could I perhaps venture surreptitious? Perhaps, again too negative. Its synonyms are given as things like covert, sneaky etc.
answered 1 hour ago
WS2
50.4k26110235
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Could I perhaps venture surreptitious? Perhaps, again too negative. Its synonyms are given as things like covert, sneaky etc.
answered 1 hour ago
WS2
50.4k26110235
Could I perhaps venture surreptitious? Perhaps, again too negative. Its synonyms are given as things like covert, sneaky etc.
answered 1 hour ago
WS2
50.4k26110235
answered 1 hour ago
WS2
50.4k26110235
answered 1 hour ago
WS2
50.4k26110235
answered 1 hour ago
WS2
50.4k26110235
50.4k26110235
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
In this particular context, I would use subconscious1. From Oxford Dictionaries:
Of or concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings.
This is a fairly neutral term, and captures the sense of affecting thought processes without the thinker's conscious awareness. It would work adverbially, as well, so you could say either
The use of (x) has a subconscious effect on our mental processes.
Or
The use of (x) subconsciously affects on our mental processes.
If those don't sound strong enough, you could add a modifier (and could potentially drop the phrase "mental processes, since that is implied in the term) for something like
The use of (x) has various/widespread/pervasive subconscious effects.
1Or unconscious if you want to be consistent with technical psychoanalytic terminology. However, in a lay setting I think subconscious is at least as common.
answered 46 mins ago
1006a
19.4k23583
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
In this particular context, I would use subconscious1. From Oxford Dictionaries:
Of or concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings.
This is a fairly neutral term, and captures the sense of affecting thought processes without the thinker's conscious awareness. It would work adverbially, as well, so you could say either
The use of (x) has a subconscious effect on our mental processes.
Or
The use of (x) subconsciously affects on our mental processes.
If those don't sound strong enough, you could add a modifier (and could potentially drop the phrase "mental processes, since that is implied in the term) for something like
The use of (x) has various/widespread/pervasive subconscious effects.
1Or unconscious if you want to be consistent with technical psychoanalytic terminology. However, in a lay setting I think subconscious is at least as common.
answered 46 mins ago
1006a
19.4k23583
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
In this particular context, I would use subconscious1. From Oxford Dictionaries:
Of or concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings.
This is a fairly neutral term, and captures the sense of affecting thought processes without the thinker's conscious awareness. It would work adverbially, as well, so you could say either
The use of (x) has a subconscious effect on our mental processes.
Or
The use of (x) subconsciously affects on our mental processes.
If those don't sound strong enough, you could add a modifier (and could potentially drop the phrase "mental processes, since that is implied in the term) for something like
The use of (x) has various/widespread/pervasive subconscious effects.
1Or unconscious if you want to be consistent with technical psychoanalytic terminology. However, in a lay setting I think subconscious is at least as common.
answered 46 mins ago
1006a
19.4k23583
In this particular context, I would use subconscious1. From Oxford Dictionaries:
Of or concerning the part of the mind of which one is not fully aware but which influences one's actions and feelings.
This is a fairly neutral term, and captures the sense of affecting thought processes without the thinker's conscious awareness. It would work adverbially, as well, so you could say either
The use of (x) has a subconscious effect on our mental processes.
Or
The use of (x) subconsciously affects on our mental processes.
If those don't sound strong enough, you could add a modifier (and could potentially drop the phrase "mental processes, since that is implied in the term) for something like
The use of (x) has various/widespread/pervasive subconscious effects.
1Or unconscious if you want to be consistent with technical psychoanalytic terminology. However, in a lay setting I think subconscious is at least as common.
answered 46 mins ago
1006a
19.4k23583
answered 46 mins ago
1006a
19.4k23583
answered 46 mins ago
1006a
19.4k23583
answered 46 mins ago
1006a
19.4k23583
19.4k23583
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Discreet, discreetly, perhaps - Unobtrusive, understated; not ostentatious or eye-catching (OED)
answered 17 mins ago
Dan
14.6k32156
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
Discreet, discreetly, perhaps - Unobtrusive, understated; not ostentatious or eye-catching (OED)
answered 17 mins ago
Dan
14.6k32156
add a comment |Â
up vote
1
down vote
up vote
1
down vote
Discreet, discreetly, perhaps - Unobtrusive, understated; not ostentatious or eye-catching (OED)
answered 17 mins ago
Dan
14.6k32156
Discreet, discreetly, perhaps - Unobtrusive, understated; not ostentatious or eye-catching (OED)
answered 17 mins ago
Dan
14.6k32156
answered 17 mins ago
Dan
14.6k32156
answered 17 mins ago
Dan
14.6k32156
answered 17 mins ago
Dan
14.6k32156
14.6k32156
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
The use of (x) has a background effect on our mental processes.
This word has no connotations at all and merely states that something is not in the foreground. In this case the item is in the background of the mental processes and, thus, is not noticed in the cognitive process but is definitely present as an influence.
Creating Unique CSS Background Effects
SpeckyBoy.com
Background Effect Tutorial
YouTube
answered 1 hour ago
Nigel J
16.3k93975
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
The use of (x) has a background effect on our mental processes.
This word has no connotations at all and merely states that something is not in the foreground. In this case the item is in the background of the mental processes and, thus, is not noticed in the cognitive process but is definitely present as an influence.
Creating Unique CSS Background Effects
SpeckyBoy.com
Background Effect Tutorial
YouTube
answered 1 hour ago
Nigel J
16.3k93975
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
The use of (x) has a background effect on our mental processes.
This word has no connotations at all and merely states that something is not in the foreground. In this case the item is in the background of the mental processes and, thus, is not noticed in the cognitive process but is definitely present as an influence.
Creating Unique CSS Background Effects
SpeckyBoy.com
Background Effect Tutorial
YouTube
answered 1 hour ago
Nigel J
16.3k93975
The use of (x) has a background effect on our mental processes.
This word has no connotations at all and merely states that something is not in the foreground. In this case the item is in the background of the mental processes and, thus, is not noticed in the cognitive process but is definitely present as an influence.
Creating Unique CSS Background Effects
SpeckyBoy.com
Background Effect Tutorial
YouTube
answered 1 hour ago
Nigel J
16.3k93975
answered 1 hour ago
Nigel J
16.3k93975
answered 1 hour ago
Nigel J
16.3k93975
answered 1 hour ago
Nigel J
16.3k93975
16.3k93975
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Or perhaps subliminal/subliminally
adjective Psychology.
existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or
employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete
sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to
influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual.
The use of X has a subliminal effect on our mental processes
answered 15 mins ago
S Conroy
2,3361321
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
Or perhaps subliminal/subliminally
adjective Psychology.
existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or
employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete
sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to
influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual.
The use of X has a subliminal effect on our mental processes
answered 15 mins ago
S Conroy
2,3361321
add a comment |Â
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
Or perhaps subliminal/subliminally
adjective Psychology.
existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or
employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete
sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to
influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual.
The use of X has a subliminal effect on our mental processes
answered 15 mins ago
S Conroy
2,3361321
Or perhaps subliminal/subliminally
adjective Psychology.
existing or operating below the threshold of consciousness; being or
employing stimuli insufficiently intense to produce a discrete
sensation but often being or designed to be intense enough to
influence the mental processes or the behavior of the individual.
The use of X has a subliminal effect on our mental processes
answered 15 mins ago
S Conroy
2,3361321
answered 15 mins ago
S Conroy
2,3361321
answered 15 mins ago
S Conroy
2,3361321
answered 15 mins ago
S Conroy
2,3361321
2,3361321
add a comment |Â
add a comment |Â
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1
I guess "pervasive" would still be too negative in its connotation?
– Wordster
1 hour ago
@Wordster I've discounted 'pervasive' already because it doesn't necessarily have the sense of it happening without anyone knowing (and as you hint it has a mildly negative connotation ...) :-) Keep suggesting!
– Araucaria
1 hour ago