Suggestibility is the susceptibility to be influenced or swayed by suggestions. The spelling of suggestibility is broken down as /səˌdʒɛstəˈbɪlɪti/, with the main stress on the second syllable. The word has four syllables, beginning with the unstressed short vowel sound of 'uh', followed by a stressed short vowel sound of 'e' and ending with the schwa sound of 'i'. The letters "-ibility" at the end of the word signal that it is a noun and means "the quality of being suggestible."
Suggestibility is a psychological trait that refers to an individual's inclination or susceptibility to readily accept and internalize external suggestions or influences, often in the absence of critical thinking or conscious awareness. This can include accepting or adopting beliefs, ideas, opinions, or behaviors suggested by others, even if they are not supported by evidence or logic.
People with high suggestibility may be more prone to conforming to social norms, authority figures, or peer pressure, as well as being more easily influenced by advertising, propaganda, or persuasive messaging. Such individuals might be more likely to go along with the suggestions of others without questioning or deliberation, leading to compliance with potentially misleading or inappropriate behaviors or beliefs.
Suggestibility can manifest in different contexts, such as in hypnosis, interrogation, therapy, or in everyday life situations. It is important to note that suggestibility does not indicate gullibility or a lack of intelligence; rather, it reflects a cognitive and psychological inclination to be influenced by suggestions. People with varying degrees of suggestibility may differ in their susceptibility to suggestions, and some individuals may possess a heightened degree of suggestibility, making them more easily influenced by external factors. Furthermore, suggestibility can vary across individuals and may be influenced by various factors, including personality traits, cognitive abilities, social conditioning, cultural background, and emotional state.
A state in which one is prone to think or to do whatever is put in the mind by another.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "suggestibility" originates from the noun "suggestible" and the suffix "-ity". The term "suggestible" emerged in the early 19th century, deriving from the verb "suggest" and the suffix "-ible", which means "capable of" or "susceptible to". "Suggest" comes from the Latin word "suggerere", which means "to bring up, propose, or suggest". The suffix "-ity" is used to form abstract nouns from adjectives, indicating a state or quality. Therefore, "suggestibility" refers to the state or quality of being suggestible, describing a person's susceptibility to being influenced or easily swayed by suggestions.