Hand Drop Hypnosis Suggestibility Test
When you start the testing, make certain that the subject realizes that his full attention and coopration are needed, and that, assuming he follows your instructions carefully, he'll find the experience very stimulating:
"I assume you'd like to explore the full potential of your mind. With your permission, then, I'd like to try a few experiments. I only ask one thing of you; that you pay close attention to what I say and let things happen, or not happen, without interference on your part. Things may happen that you don't expect to happen or that I have not mentioned. If they do, let them happen."
The Hand Drop test is a good place to start the testing process because it helps the subject to learn to relax. It also helps teach him to follow your commands. And, it's a simple test with easy-to- achieve results, so it should prove successful.
In hypnosis, SUCCESS BREEDS SUCCESS. If the subject sees the tangible results of following your commands, it builds his confidence in your ability, and with each experiment, step-by-step, that confidence and conditioning to respond to your commands grows stronger.
Start off by explaining. "This is a simple relaxation test. Many people who think they are relaxed really aren't". Have the subject sit in the chair and extend his right hand out (forearm parallel with the ground) about a foot from his body, chest high, turning his wrist upward with the index finger pointed up and the other fingers in a closed ball. The subject is then told to place the palm of his other hand squarely in the center of his right index finger.
"I want you to completely relax your left hand so that the entire weight of this hand and arm is supported solely by your right index finger. You need to be thoroughly relaxed, to let your left hand go limp. Concentrate, focus all your attention on relaxing your left hand. Let your right finger carry all the weight of your left hand."
When you're satisfied that the subject is relaxed, say, "I'm going to count to three, and when I say 'THREE' I want you to IMMEDIATELY remove your right finger and your left hand will INSTANTLY fall down in your lap. Oaky, one, relaxed completely, two, very lose, THREE!"
If the subject's hand falls in his lap, say "Excellent" and move on to the next test. If he fails this test, explain that, "Many times when we believe we are relaxed, we're not. You just proved that. The ability to achieve success is in direct proportion to your ability to relax. The mind is very powerful. When an idea is held strongly enough, it tends to realize itself in unconscious movements. So relax, don't think too much about it, and you'll do great!"
At this point, try the test over again, making certain the person has the full weight of his left hand on the right finger. If the test fails twice, use YOUR right finger for the test, and don't remove it until you're certain you're fully holding the weight of his hand.
- Adapted from Fun With Hypnosisis
go to Suggestibility Tests page
c) 2004, Dr. Laura De Giorgio, www.hypnosis-kids.com Visit also www.deeptrancenow.com