Suggestibility tests
Hypnotizability vs. suggestibility
Hypnotists typically treat the words “suggestibility” and “hypnotizability” as closely related terms. Strictly speaking, this equation is not entirely correct, as suggestibility is a general term that encompasses at least two meanings, namely the
primary and secondary suggestibility.
- Primary suggestibility can be related to hypnotizability: A highly hypnotizable person is also a primarily highly suggestible person;
a person who is less hypnotizable is also considered less suggestible. When we speak of primary suggestions, we refer to those suggestions that are only intended to induce hypnosis and demonstrate hypnotizability. Consequently, a primarily suggestible person may be considered capable of implementing permissible primary suggestions to a greater or lesser degree. - Secondary suggestibility refers to all other suggestions including self-suggestions, especially all post-hypnotic and non-hypnotic suggestions intended for self-improvement. Thus, a secondarily suggestible person may be considered capable of implementing permissible secondary suggestions to a greater or lesser degree.
- Hypnotizability means the person’s ability to be hypnotized – that is, to be capable of experiencing hallucinations of varying degrees or complexity.
Tasks of the suggestibility test
- It serves as a preconditioning tool – it takes away the client’s fears and prepares them for hypnosis by allaying their fears.
- It provides information (namely through the client’s reactions) about the appropriate hypnosis induction method.
- It provides information (namely through the client’s reactions) about the appropriate hypnosis induction method.
Two types of preparatory tests
- Authoritative – energetic, powerful, commanding, direct.
- Permissive – soft-spoken, non-directive, yet persuasive.
Determining whether to deal with clients authoritatively or permissively is critical to the success of the
hypnosis induction method to be used. Hence the significance of performing suggestibility tests.
If your client reacts positively to a permissive test, use a permissive induction method. If your client responds positively to an authoritative test, choose an authoritative induction procedure.
Falling & rising arms
The following videos show a frequently used suggestibility test for groups. It’s a nice variant that you can use quickly and easily anywhere. Everyone will take part in this little experiment. It illustrates very well how imagination takes precedence over reality.
And here again the falling and rising arms in detail.
Instead of books, you can also instruct the participants to imagine holding a large bucket in one hand. This is gradually filled with sand… one scoop at a time.