The Psychology of Suggestion 14+

📓 This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1911 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER in. THE EVIDENCE OF NOKMAL SUGGESTIBILITY. In our last chapter we ventured to generalize that every man in his full normal waking state is more or less suggestible. I should not wonder if such a seemingly sweeping generalization should startle many a cautious reader, and should call forth strenuous opposition. We must therefore rigorously demonstrate the fact of the universality of normal suggestibility. Such a proof is of the more importance, as the generalization which it establishes supplies a new principle to sociology, furnishes a key to the comprehension of many a great historical event, gives a deeper insight into the phenomena of political and economical life, and might possibly be of use in education. Is there such a thing as suggestibility in the normal waking condition? The Nancy school, with Bernheim and Liebault at its head, gives an affirmative answer. "Jemanden hypnotisiren," says Bernheim, "heisst nur: seine Suggestibilitat kiinst/lich erhohen." In fact, the hypnotic state itself is in/ duced by suggestion. "Es giebt keinen Hypnotismus: es giebt nur Phanomene der Suggestion," exclaims the Nancy professor. "Als etwas pathologisches, als eine kunstliche Neurose betrachtet existirt ein Hypnotismns nicht. ...