Chapter 13: Problem 2

A friend tells you,"I once heard of a person who was murdered by being hypnotized and then told to jump from the Golden Gate Bridgel" Could such a thing have happened? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Expert verified

No, it couldn't have happened. Even under hypnosis, people are able to refuse to perform actions that they don't want to, including self-harm.

Step by step solution

Understanding Hypnosis

Hypnosis is a trance-like mental state in which people experience increased attention and concentration. It is usually induced by a procedure known as hypnotic induction, which involves a long series of preliminary instructions and suggestions. However, during hypnosis, a person is usually more open to suggestions but, they're still in control of their actions.

Assess the claim

Given the understanding of hypnosis above, let's assess the claim that someone can be hypnotized to take their own life by jumping off a bridge. As noted, although hypnosis can make a person more open to suggestions, it does not take away one's will or ability to control their actions.

Conclusion

Therefore, it's highly unlikely that someone can be hypnotized into performing dangerous acts or acting against their own self-preservation instincts. Even under hypnosis, people have control over their actions and are able to refuse to do things they don't want to do. Hence, the claim is widely considered to be false.

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A friend tells you,"I once heard of a person who was murdered by being hypnotized and then told to jump from the Golden Gate Bridgel" Could such a thing have happened? Why or why not?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Understanding Hypnosis

Assess the claim

Conclusion

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