User:Xenja/Suggestion

The term suggestion was introduced in the 17th/18th century and refers to the manipulative influencing of a thought or sensation, with the result that the manipulation goes unnoticed or is, at least temporarily, not accessible to consciousness.

Etymologically, it can be traced back to the Latin noun "suggestio", meaning "an addition, intimation or suggestion", or to the Latin verb "suggerĕre", meaning "bring up", "lay beneath" or "afford".

In psychology, the term "suggestion" – first used by James Braid (1795–1860) – refers to a form of influence on feelings, thoughts and actions. However, distinctions or differences from related fields are rarely discussed. A distinction is made between autosuggestion and heterosuggestion, i.e. influence exerted by oneself or by others.

In the field of hypnosis, suggestions represent immediate inspirations provided by the hypnotist. Post-hypnotic suggestions, on the other hand, only take effect after the hypnosis session, usually in response to a pre-determined cue, such as a word or a gesture.

The power of suggestion can serve as a theoretical framework for explaining the placebo effect, self-fulfilling prophecies and the impact of advertising.

According to spiritual research, suggestive methods influence the unconscious feelings and will of the person being addressed, whereas a logical, liberating presentation appeals to the other person’s inner life and thus frees their feelings and will.

Differentiation between suggestibility and suggestiveness

A differentiation must be made between suggestion as an act or a result, suggestibility as the receptiveness of the person being influenced, and suggestiveness as the potential to be able to plant a suggestion. With this understanding of suggestiveness, suggestibility can then also be understood as autosuggestibility – albeit triggered by an external stimulus.

The terms "suggestion" and, in particular, "suggestibility" are often used as synonyms for influencing the will, exercising power, credulity, susceptibility to influence and weakness of will.

Suggestion therapy

Even before the development of psychoanalysis, Josef Breuer (1842–1925) used suggestion to treat hysteria. In this technique, symptoms are combated by applying a suggestion. It is also used to treat phobiae or habits of a life time. Moreover it was used in the treatment of so-called war neuroses.

Suggestive question

The term "suggestion" is also used in the context of so-called suggestive questions. In this case, the questioner’s aim is to directly influence the content of the respondent’s answer. (Example: "You were at the scene of the crime, weren’t you?" – which is more likely to elicit a "yes" from the other person.) This influence can be exerted through facial expressions and gestures, but also through verbal expression. For instance, there is an old trick amongst waiters whereby a guest can be influenced by a slight nod or shake of the head when asked whether they would like a top-up.

Autosuggestion and Heterosuggestion

Autosuggestion is a psychological method in which one influences oneself, usually by repeating positive affirmations or phrases, in order to positively influence the subconscious mind.

An example of an autosuggestion sentence by Ellen Andersen is:

"I am performing confidently today."

To ensure these words really find their way into the subconscious, Ellen Anderson advises repeating them regularly until they have been internalised.

Heterosuggestion

Heterosuggestion is external influence, e.g. through advertising, the news, other people, and also through hypnosis.

Autogenic Training

Autogenic training is a relaxation technique which consists of mental exercises that are based on autosuggestion. Autogenic” literally means "generated from within" and it is closely related to self-hypnosis. The practitioner repeats certain phrases in their mind that relate to their own body – for example: "My heart is beating calmly and strongly". Ideally, a sequence of specific exercises and phrases leads to relaxation throughout the entire body, which can also have a beneficial effect on health.

The effects of suggestion

Axel Burkart (born 1951), a German author and anthroposophist, describes the effects of suggestion in a 2018 lecture entitled Suggestion in contrast to independent thinking. He mentions people often absorb the words of authority figures unfiltered. Statements and suggestions contained therein, which are not recognised through independent examination and independent thinking, can create conflict for the listener.

Children in particular, who do not yet have the capacity to reflect on suggestive statements, find themselves in a dilemma when exposed to statements – for example, from teachers – that are neither logical nor true. Axel Burkart gives the following example:

At school, the biology teacher tells the children: “You are a higher mammal; you are descended from apes.” In religious education, however, the children are told: “You are descended from God.” These differing accounts create a conflict within the child.

The placebo effect and the nocebo effect

A placebo is a substance that contains no active pharmaceutical ingredient. It is also referred to as a sham medication and may be administered as a sugar pill or a saline solution. The term "placebo effect" is used when a person experiences an improvement in their condition or illness following the administration of a placebo. Not only a medication, but also a sham operation can be described as a placebo effect.

Axel Burkart gives the example of a woman who was told by the surgeon: “The knee has been operated on.” In reality, the surgeon had merely cut open the knee and stitched it back up. No surgical procedure had been performed on the knee. However, the patient’s knee pain had disappeared.

The nocebo effect is the counterpart to the placebo effect. In the case of the nocebo effect, negative suggestions can trigger illness or anxiety. A well-known example is the anxiety triggered by the idea that a dangerous virus is infecting people. However, negative health symptoms or side effects of medication can also occur without there being a direct physical cause. This can, for example, be caused by a doctor-patient consultation as part of medical treatment.

Suggestion from a spiritual perspective

Rudolf Steiner (1861–1925), an Austrian philosopher, spiritual scientist and founder of Anthroposophy, also studied the power of suggestion, as it influenced people over 100 years ago just as much as it does today:

"Suggestions have such an enormous effect in our public life that one can simply see how, in large gatherings of thousands of people, the audience is not influenced by what one calls free conviction, but simply by what the speaker brings to them through suggestion. And those who have listened pass on the suggestion, so that much of what is done today has come about under the power of suggestion."

The influence exerted on people can lead to illusions in individuals. A person who creates a sensory illusion or allows themselves to be deceived is described as being susceptible to illusion. These illusions can even lead to a rejection of the spiritual world. In a materialistic age, many people reject the existence of the spiritual world. The majority of people recognise only physical things and circumstances as real. According to Rudolf Steiner, rejecting these insights and thoughts about the spiritual worlds may be a suggestion:

"..., so that even when we find some of that capacity for illusion in one person, it certainly may come from a hatred for, a turning away from, the Spiritual world; yet this dislike may not be in the soul of the person subject to the illusions;—it may have been suggested to him. For in Spiritual domains the danger of infection is infinitely greater than in any physical domain.

According to the spiritual research of Heinz Grill (born 1960), author and founder of the New Yoga Will, suggestions can arise in particular if/when "information is given to the public that is undifferentiated, unreflected, one-sided, without comparisons and if this is done on a purely external basis, without giving sufficient context and background. Collective emotional anxiety can also provide a favourable basis for suggestions to have an effect."

In 2018, Heinz Grill wrote a poem about suggestion, in which he gives a voice to the concept itself/to the figure itself/to the suggestion figure itself:

The suggestion figure

Beware you lowly human spirit
and remain faithfully blind in my escort.
I am the exalted figure of suggestion,
that lives through your unconscious hold.
I rule and control you,
although you are spiritually greater than me.
My weapon is manipulation
to compensate for my inferior position.
Ultimately, you will bear my guilt,
it is bitter, this modern cult.
Alas, how fascinatingly ingenious.
Suggestion is not trivial.