Unraveling the Influence of Suggestion: A New Thought Perspective

 

Exposing yourself to the media is exposing yourself to the power of suggestion.

Suggestion is a powerful force that shapes how we see, remember, perform, and even feel physically. Recognizing its influence empowers us to navigate life with greater insight and intention.

Michael Corthell

Suggestion, a potent force, shapes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Its impact, exemplified by the placebo and Hawthorne effects, permeates our experiences. Yet, the mechanism of suggestion remains enigmatic. Exploring its depths, we endeavor to comprehend its profound implications for our lives. How does suggestion orchestrate our perceptions and responses, and how might we harness its power for positive change? These questions beckon us to unravel the intricacies of this omnipresent force.

The Science of Suggestion

Psychologists Maryanne Garry, Robert Michael, and Irving Kirsch have dedicated their careers to studying the science of suggestion. Their research has revealed that suggestion can influence a wide range of cognitive and behavioral processes, including:

• Perception: Suggestion can influence how we perceive the world around us. For example, studies have shown that people who are told that a wine is expensive are more likely to rate it as tasting better.
• Memory: Suggestion can also influence our memories. For example, studies have shown that people can be led to recall false memories of events that never happened.
• Performance: Suggestions can also affect our performance on tasks. For example, studies have shown that people who are told that they are expected to do well on a test are more likely to score higher.
• Health: Suggestion can even influence our health. For example, the placebo effect is a powerful example of how suggestion can improve people's symptoms, even when they are given an inactive treatment.

Response Expectancies: The Key to Influence

Central to the power of suggestion is our response expectancies. Response expectancies are our beliefs about how we will react in different situations. When we have a strong response expectancy, it can be difficult to resist the urge to behave in accordance with that expectancy.

For example, if you believe that you are going to get nervous when giving a presentation, you are more likely to actually feel nervous. This is because your belief about your reaction creates a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Unintentional Suggestion: A Subtle Influence

It is important to note that suggestion can be both deliberate and unintentional. Deliberate suggestion is when someone intentionally tries to influence another person's thoughts, feelings, or behaviors. Unintentional suggestion is when someone influences another person without even realizing it.

Unintentional suggestion can be very powerful. For example, studies have shown that students who are praised by their teachers are more likely to perform well in school. This is because the praise creates a positive response expectancy in the students' minds.

Implications for Academic Research

The power of suggestion has important implications for academic research. Researchers need to be careful to avoid unintentional suggestion when conducting studies. This means being mindful of the cues they give to participants and avoiding making any claims that could influence participants' expectations.

Real-World Impact

The power of suggestion also has a significant impact on the real world. For example, studies have shown that eyewitness testimony can be unreliable due to the influence of suggestion. Additionally, the placebo effect is used in clinical trials to test the effectiveness of new drugs.

Conclusion: Harnessing the Potential of Suggestion

While suggestion can be a powerful force for good, it can also be used for ill. It is important to be aware of the potential influence of suggestion so that we can make informed decisions about our lives.

Resources

• Garry, M., Michael, R., & Kirsch, I. (2012). Suggestion, cognition, and behavior. Current Directions in Psychological Science, 21(3), 153-158.
• Kirsch, I. (1998). The nocebo effect: How your mind can heal you or make you sick. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Murphy, J. (1963). The power of your subconscious mind. Prentice-Hall.

Additional Thoughts

In addition to the points mentioned in the article, I would like to add that the power of suggestion can be used to promote positive change. For example, self-affirmation is a technique that involves reminding yourself of your strengths and values. Self-affirmation has been shown to improve people's performance on tasks, reduce stress, and boost resilience.

Another way to harness the power of suggestion is to use positive visualization. Positive visualization is a technique that involves imagining yourself achieving your goals. Positive visualization has been shown to improve athletic performance, increase motivation, and reduce pain.

By understanding the power of suggestion, we can learn to use it to improve our lives and the lives of others in a variety of powerful ways.