ABSTRACT

The influence of verbal and nonverbal stimuli given before and during a motor suggestion task was studied. Instead of traditional direct suggestion an indirect procedure was used employing a balancing device with which a mechanical movement up- downwards could be simulated. The arm of the subjects was fixed to a freelv movable metal beam. The subjects were told to move their arm up- downwards if they felt a pressure by the beam. The test was carried out in 4 independent experimental groups. In all groups the pressure was only simulated. In group 1 no further suggestion was given during the experiment; in group 2 an additional noise could be heard from the device suggesting its continuing function. In group 3, instead of the noise an additional verbal suggestion was given. In group 4, both the noise and the verbal suggestion were given. It was found that: a) the context of the baseline test already influenced the motor reaction, b) the motor reaction took place even without additional suggestions, c) the sound had no relevant effect upon the arm movement, and d) the additional verbal suggestion reinforced the motor reaction significantly.

KEYWORDS: suggestibility, ideo-motor reactions, indirect suggestion