What are implicit messages?

Implicit messages are the unspoken cues or indirect suggestions embedded within communication that influence our perceptions, beliefs, and actions. These messages are not directly stated but are inferred from the context, behavior, actions, or even the environment of communication. For instance, when discussing implicit and explicit messages in the context of societal norms about divorce, Mark Groves explains that while an explicit message might directly state "never get divorced," an implicit message might be conveyed through negative reactions to someone else’s divorce, suggesting that divorce is shameful or socially unacceptable without directly stating it 1.

In another example, Aubrey Marcus and Alex Banayan discuss how implicit messages from childhood can strongly impact one's beliefs and behaviors. They highlight how witnessing contradictory behavior from a parent, such as being told to eat healthily while the parent indulges in unhealthy habits, sends a powerful implicit message that may shape a person's future behavior more profoundly than explicit instructions 2.