posthypnotic suggestion
Noun: A posthypnotic suggestion is a specific instruction or idea implanted in a person's mind during hypnosis. This instruction is designed to be carried out by the person after they have been awakened from the hypnotic state, typically in response to a predetermined cue or signal.
This term is used primarily in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and hypnotherapy to describe a specific therapeutic or experimental technique. - The therapist used a posthypnotic suggestion to help the patient manage anxiety. - In the study, researchers tested the effectiveness of a posthypnotic suggestion to reduce pain perception.
- The subject, under hypnosis, was given the posthypnotic suggestion that he would feel a strong urge to scratch his ear whenever he heard the word "apple."
- A common therapeutic application of a posthypnotic suggestion is to help a person feel calm and relaxed when they encounter a specific stressor in their daily life.
- The power of a posthypnotic suggestion was demonstrated when the patient, after waking, unconsciously performed the suggested action upon hearing the cue.
- Therapeutic Context: In clinical settings, posthypnotic suggestions are often used for behavior modification, such as smoking cessation, weight management, or reducing phobic responses. The suggestion is "post" because its effect is intended for the waking state.
- Experimental Context: In research, posthypnotic suggestions are used to study aspects of consciousness, memory, and the influence of unconscious processes on behavior.
- Hypnosis (n): The state or process of being hypnotized.
- Suggestion (n): In psychology, an idea or impulse introduced into the mind.
- Hypnotherapy (n): The use of hypnosis for therapeutic purposes.
- Trance (n): A half-conscious state, often associated with hypnosis.
- Hypnotic command
- Post-hypnotic instruction
The core concept hinges on the timing: the suggestion is given during hypnosis but is executed after hypnosis has ended. The action is usually triggered automatically by a specific cue, and the person may or may not be consciously aware of the reason for their behavior.
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a suggestion that is made to a person who is hypnotized that specifies an action he will perform (usually in response to a cue) after he has awakened
