Is it better to be hypnotizable or unhypnotizable?

Question

James Kellogg, master hypnotist came to our school today. I was chosen to be one of 12 subjects. Out of 12 subjects, I was only 2 out of 12 who were not put under hypnosis. He told me thanks for trying...and made me go back to the audience. Do you think it's bad if you can't be put in a state of hypnosis. The other 10 people were doing everything he said. I don't know....but I think I'd rather have someone not be able to control my mind. I heard about 20% of adults are unable to be hypnotized, 15% are highly hypnotizable, and the rest fall in the middle.

Answer 1

I suppose if you WANT to be hypnotized (which you apparantly did, being one of the twelve), it's good to be ABLE to, but if you don't I suppose it doesn't matter.

Answer 2

You have to believe you can be hypnotized and want to be hypnotized.

In a classic experiment the famous pyschologist Clark Hull tested how responsive people were in a "sway test". He gave direct suggestions to people who were standing that they were falling forward - and then measured how much they moved with a "sway-o-meter".
Can't remember the exact figures but about 90% swayed forward to some extent or other.
The interesting thing is the remaining 10% - of these 5% were actually swaying backwards slightly (i.e. resisting by going the other way) - and 5% froze (i.e. the natural micro-movements that we have when we normally stand were actively inhibited - so they were resisting by freezing).

The conclusion: EVERYONE's behaviour was influenced the suggestion. No-one remains neutral to suggestion.
Isn't that mind-blowing!
(doesn't really answer the question though!)

To answer the question. Be hypnotizable when in the right company - and non-hypnotizable when in bad company!

Hope this helps
Mark

PS - Hull didn't have the subjects in a "trance" - he just gave them an authoritarian suggestion and most swayed forward. So is all communication a type of suggestion and therefore a type of hypnosis? (I'll leave you thinking about that one!)

Answer 3

Sometimes I drive home and don't remember the trip. That's self-hypnosis. I'm still in control of the car, I just didn't pay attention. For me, it doesn't matter. Sometimes self-hypnosis is useful, if, for example, you want to overcome a bad habit. However, you can't be hypnotized without your consent, it doesn't work that way, so it really shouldn't be important whether you can be hypnotized or not.

Answer 4

There are only two requirements to be hypnotized one is a firm belief that it can be done and the other is a desire to be hypnotized. You probably have some doubts that you can be, probably from a fear that you cannot be, that prevented you from going under on stage. There is nothing inherent in people that makes them more or less susceptible to hypnosis.

Answer 5

I agree with you. I think it's better not to have someone to control your mind. Some people don't even have to hypnotize you to do that. If I ever had to be hypnotized...I'd want somebody reliable with me to protect me. You're giving over your mind to somebody. We get enough mind control from tv. (and don't even realize it). I have a feeling somebody hypnotized me one time...but I can't prove it and don't know how to overcome it. Your mind is about the most valuable part of you. Don't let some numbskull mess with it and mess it up. I don't understand why a school would be allowed to do this.

Answer 6

I agree, being unable to be put under hypnosis is a good thing. You have a strong state of mind and uneasily fooled. I think it may mean you are smart and wise.

Answer 7

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You ............May
Now ..........return
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