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".[1]
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.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
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. [2]
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. [3]
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. [4]
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.
References
- ↑ suggestion In:etymonline.com. Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ Autogenic Training In:sciencedirect.com. Retrieved 2 May 2026.
- ↑ Lecture by Axel Burkart – Part 2, Conference “Suggestion im Gegensatz zum eigenen Denken - Suggestion as opposed to independent thinking”, Michaelmas 2018. (German) (15:36–17:36). In: systemfreie Spiritualität (YouTube channel). Retrieved 1 May 2026.
- ↑ Lecture by Axel Burkart – Part 2, Conference “Suggestion im Gegensatz zum eigenen Denken - Suggestion as opposed to independent thinking”, Michaelmas 2018. (German) (9:34–10:35). In: systemfreie Spiritualität (YouTube channel). Retrieved 1 May 2026.
