Suggestibility

Suggestibility is the quality of being inclined to accept and act on the suggestions of others. A person experiencing intense emotions tends to be more receptive to ideas and therefore more suggestible. Generally, suggestibility decreases as age increases. However, psychologists have found that a certain type of suggestibility increases with age.

Types of Suggestibility

There are two types of suggestibility: Physical Suggestibility and Emotional Suggestibility.

Physical Suggestibility pertains to the way physical sensations are processed, and how they influence thoughts and behavior.

Emotional Suggestibility pertains to the process of experiencing emotional responses and how they influence thoughts and behavior.

Factors Influencing Suggestibility

Several factors can influence a person's level of suggestibility. These include:

• Age: Younger people tend to be more suggestible than older individuals.
• Emotional State: People experiencing intense emotions are often more suggestible.
• Mental Fatigue: When a person is mentally tired, they may be more susceptible to suggestions.
• Substance Use: The use of certain substances can increase suggestibility.

Suggestibility and Memory

Suggestibility can also affect a person's memory. In some cases, suggestions can create false memories, a phenomenon known as False Memory Syndrome. This can have serious implications in legal settings, particularly in cases involving eyewitness testimony.

See Also

• Hypnosis
• Memory
• Psychology
• False Memory Syndrome