Words That Trigger Emotional Reactions

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I'm collecting words that set off emotional reactions. I've got two, so far. I'll need to return and add more when more such words pop up in my mind.

Liberal
Feminist
Seasoned
  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Your small list doesn't set off emotional reactions for me, but I'm sure they do for some folks. It's surprising that you could only come up with those few words when there are so many similarly evocative words, maybe you're just trying to get others to create the list for you.

    conservative
    abortion
    aliens
    government
    taxes / IRS
    global warming
    religion (and any individual religion you want to name)
    God
    satan
    politics

    ...I could go on and on. Maybe I don't understand what you're getting at. Anything that involves beliefs has the potential to cause an emotional reaction.
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      <snip> maybe you're just trying to get others to create the list for you. <snip>
      Oh, no, who me?
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  • Profile picture of the author Ephrils
    You can add George Carlin's "Seven Words You Can't Say On Television" I'd add them here, but I think they'd get censored. :p
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    • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
      Originally Posted by Ephrils View Post

      You can add George Carlin's "Seven Words You Can't Say On Television" I'd add them here, but I think they'd get censored. :p
      I Googled them. Do they trigger many complex emotional reactions? They're mainly vulgar or have to do with body parts.
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      • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
        Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

        I Googled them. Do they trigger many complex emotional reactions? They're mainly vulgar or have to do with body parts.
        Eff you certainly triggers emotional reactions.
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        • Profile picture of the author thunderbird
          Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

          Eff you certainly triggers emotional reactions.
          Try saying this in a bar, "You son of a mother."
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  • Profile picture of the author gurugrimmer
    It all depends on your audience... as Einstein would say "it's all relative"
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    True - depends on the group or individual.

    I get furious when I hear fluoridated or aspartame.

    Donuts -- especially creates frenzy in police.
    Drones
    Any Politician's name
    clear, sunny -- when coming from a weather reporter (positive emotional impact).
    GMO - anyone who's not stupid and/or obese.
    agate/jasper/crystal -- makes members of my website foam at the mouth.
    Boobies -- very strange reaction in males.
    Johny Depp - same reaction as above in females.

    Just a partial list but you get the idea.
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    Sal
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  • Profile picture of the author kenmichaels
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    I'm collecting words that set off emotional reactions. I've got two, so far. I'll need to return and add more when more such words pop up in my mind.

    Liberal
    Feminist
    Seasoned
    sorry steve, but that is funny ...
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    Selling Ain't for Sissies!
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    • Profile picture of the author Sumit Menon
      Originally Posted by kenmichaels View Post

      sorry steve, but that is funny ...
      I want to know what emotional reactions trigger in Steve when he reads this.
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  • Profile picture of the author MaxTheMarketer
    Some has probably mentioned it already but what the heck:

    * Sex
    * Cash
    * Death
    * Hot
    * Instant
    * Guarantee
    * You
    * The majority of cursewords so no need to mention them
    * Rape
    * Love
    * Cold
    * Rejection
    * Curseword-versions of the male and female body parts

    The last category of "words that trigger emotional reactions" is the your average customer's unique problems and needs.

    For example, if a pet-lover is worrying about that she or he might have to "PUT TO DEATH" their be-loving pet some day, they might be very triggered when these words appear because it talks to them in their particular context in terms of needs and fears.

    Another example, someone who just heard a close relative to them were diagnosed with cancer will react strongly to this word from now on as it reminds them of the horrifying experience of getting the bad news about their relative.

    So, many words are need-based, some consumers have these needs so then you have these words most effective for them while other consumers have those needs so then you have those other words most effective for them.

    The ones I listed are mostly universal because they speak to human needs that the majority of people have on a daily basis, except a few such as "cash".

    This is an invention we have made, we have created our own emotional connection to it.

    Take Care & Have An Awesome Day! / Max "MaxTheMarketer" K.
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    • Profile picture of the author Maggie143
      Like Max was saying the emotional trigger for someone is going to be needs based. Are they "broke", "procrastinators", "or "depressed".

      Do they want "Success", "Recognition", "Fame", "Fulfillment", or "The Good Life".

      It all depends on what you are selling to what the triggers will be for the "pain" of your audience.

      That is a few I use for the make money niche. Just think of yourself in your customers shoes and what pain the product would cure for you.

      Maggie
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Holy crap. How the heck did this get turned into an IM lesson. People - pop a cold one and chill out.
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    Sal
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  • Profile picture of the author Kurt
    Let's go with:

    ethnic/racial/sexist slurs - I can think of a word or two you wouldn't want to shout in certain areas, unless you want a very emotional response.

    seasoned

    Maybe we can test my theories by getting seasoned/teve to shout some racial slurs in a few select areas and see what happens?
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    • Profile picture of the author HeySal
      Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

      Let's go with:

      ethnic/racial/sexist slurs - I can think of a word or two you wouldn't want to shout in certain areas, unless you want a very emotional response.

      seasoned

      Maybe we can test my theories by getting seasoned/teve to shout some racial slurs in a few select areas and see what happens?
      Not much. Even when someone's being really crude, people's normal reactions are to just slowly move away from them when they are obviously insane.
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      Sal
      When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
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      • Profile picture of the author Kurt
        Originally Posted by HeySal View Post

        Not much. Even when someone's being really crude, people's normal reactions are to just slowly move away from them when they are obviously insane.
        If you believe that, go shout the "n word" in Watts and tell me you'll get that reaction. While you're at it, ask Mike Tyson if he's gay.
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        • Profile picture of the author HeySal
          Originally Posted by Kurt View Post

          If you believe that, go shout the "n word" in Watts and tell me you'll get that reaction. While you're at it, ask Mike Tyson if he's gay.
          LOL - Kurt. I should have used smilies. I was just being funny -- it was a statement that referrred back to a politician's statement about ways for women to protect themselves in an assault when they can't legally own a gun. Act crazy and the criminal will go away. They also tell women to puke on the attacker. Serious.
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          Sal
          When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
          Beyond the Path

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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Fairness
    Unfair
    Lust
    Poor
    Rich
    Entitled
    Underprivileged
    Selfish
    Greedy
    Generous
    Truth
    Lies
    Deceptive
    Freedom
    Yo Mamma...
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

      Try saying this in a bar, "You son of a mother."
      Wait, I didn't know you thought I was stupid. I'm going to have to keep a closer eye on the things you say to me and about me.


      Originally Posted by travlinguy View Post

      -snip- Yo Mamma...

      I suppose some people really do like his cello music that much. :p
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Originally Posted by thunderbird View Post

    I'm collecting words that set off emotional reactions. I've got two, so far. I'll need to return and add more when more such words pop up in my mind.

    Seasoned
    VERY FUNNY!
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    I COULD spell out UI, but that would elicit TOO much. How about FL?

    Steve
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      Okay, so mine are two worded answers, but I think they trigger emotional reactions.

      Big Pharma
      Corporate America

      @Travlinguy- LOL! Yo mama! Haha!

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Here's one I'm surprised I haven't seen here yet ---

    BACON.
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    Sal
    When the Roads and Paths end, learn to guide yourself through the wilderness
    Beyond the Path

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