Subliminal perception refers to the process by which individuals receive and respond to stimuli that are below their conscious awareness. This means that certain messages or signals can influence thoughts, feelings, or behaviors without the person being fully aware of them. For example, a brief flash of an image or a sound that is too quiet to hear can still affect a person's reactions. Research in psychology has explored how subliminal messages can impact decision-making and preferences. While some studies suggest that subliminal cues can have a subtle effect, the overall effectiveness and ethical implications of using such techniques, especially in advertising, remain debated among experts in the field.