Abstract: The subliminal semantic priming effects refer to the facilitated processing of target words when they proceeded by a semantically and associatively related prime word, even when the primes were presented subliminally. Subliminal semantic priming has its instability and is easily affected by various types of factors. The influencing factors include external and internal factors. The external factors are task, stimuli materials, procedure and so on. The internal factors are attention, task set, intentions and expectations. Firstly, the histories of subliminal semantic priming studies were reviewed and the paradigm and methods for testing awareness were introduced briefly. Then, the article focused on discussing and summering its influencing factors. Further research could be explored from optimizing paradigms, enhancing the study of brain mechanism and developing the theories.

Key words: unconscious, subliminal semantic priming, spreading priming model, central processing, attentional sensitization model