SUGGESTION, in psychology, a term which in its widest sense signifies an intimation, a hint, a prompting, the abrupt introduction of an idea into consciousness. It is also employed as synonymous with association. But, more specifically, it is a method of effecting belief, whether the conditions of the subject be normal, or abnormal, as in the case of hypnotism (q.v.). Under normal conditions this belief may be manifested as a conviction arrived at by reason ing, as in the case of the acceptance of a series of logical arguments; or it may be mere acqui escence in what deliberation would show to be false. Psychologists disagree as to the means by which suggestion may effect belief under abnormal conditions (for example, those of hypnotism). Lipps holds that the critical facul ties of the hypnotized subject are kept in abey ance, and he is, therefore, incapable of making opposition and thereby destroying the belief.
Wundt contends that the consciousness of the subject is limited, no ideas entering save those directly aroused. Such ideas are, therefore, freed from contradiction, and have a special or hyperxsthetic force. When belief persists for a time after hypnotic conditions have ceased to exist, and ultimately takes effect, such form is called post-hypnotic suggestion. Con sult Bain, 'The Senses and the Intellect' (Lon don 1894); Bernheim, 'Suggestive Therapeu tics' (trans., New York 1889); Binet, A., 'La Suggestibilite' (Paris 1900); Keatinge, W. M., 'Suggestion in Education' (London 1907); Lipps, 'Zur Psychologie der ' Suggestion) (1897); Sidis, B., The Psychology of Sugges tion' (New York 1898); Stoll, 0., 'Suggestion und Hypnotismus in der Wilkerpsychologie' (2d ed., Leipzig 1904); Wundt, 'Hypnotismus und Suggestion' (Leipzig 1911).