Suggestible audience
What is hypnotizability?
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 comprising at least two meanings, namely the
primary and secondary suggestibility.
A. 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;
B. Secondary
Suggestibility refers to all other suggestions including self-suggestions, especially all post-hypnotic and non-hypnotic suggestions intended for self-improvement.
Consequently, a secondarily suggestible person may be considered capable of implementing permissible secondary suggestion to a greater or lesser degree.
C. Hypnotizability
means the person’s ability to be hypnotized – that is, to be capable of experiencing hallucinations of varying degrees or complexity.
Let’s digress a little. Intelligence is operationally defined as that which can be achieved through a
intelligence test. In short, we can only know what is meant by “intelligence”;
by studying the answers to the questions of an intelligence test. Similarly, we can
Define hypnosis only from the results that a hypnosis or hypnotizability test
provides Most responses to such tests include a person’s ability to hallucinate. Apparently, some types of hallucinations are more complicated than others – like some
IQ test questions are more difficult than others.
Suitable person for hypnosis
This list merely shows a trend that has been observed in recent years; However, recent years have shown that receptiveness to hypnosis has increased enormously; Not least because the information and knowledge about hypnosis has improved and hypnosis is increasingly being used in medicine; This increases trust. Therefore, the following list should not serve as a guideline;
Any normal person can be hypnotized (although the word “normal” is problematic).
Exceptions:
- Infants and children under four years of age – lack of concentration over such a long
Period - Psychotics – not much is known about them – are usually not good
hypnotizable, closed – no feedback, cannot concentrate. - Mentally handicapped – with an IQ below 70.
- Paranoid – suspicious, distrustful.
Higher degree of receptivity
- Monotonous environment favorable – some monotonous tasks can be favorable
affect the level of concentration, e.g. for factory workers. - Soldiers, policemen, sportsmen – usually follow orders.
- Very religious people – devout believers – followers of a cult.
- People who are taken out of their familiar surroundings – doctor’s surgery -,
develop reverence, an expectation – very favorable. - Musicians, creative people, artists – good imagination
- 5-8 years: most suggestible – usually develop mild stages of hypnosis. Sessions usually last less than 30 minutes
- 8-15 years: This is the period in which the ability to be hypnotized increases
Lower degree of susceptibility
- Scientists, analytical people, or those who want to resist
on everything that differs from “normal” Engineers, accountants - People who are on the defensive, who analyze everything.
- People with chronic or extreme pain, especially the first time.
- People who are afraid of change
- People who are afraid of hypnosis
- Very old people