“Are you easily influenced by what others do and say? If so, you’re just the type of person that hypnotists, magicians and mind-readers seek out as you’re more likely to fall for their mind tricks.
In this video, psychologist Richard Wiseman gives you the chance to find out how suggestible you are. Give it a go – even the most hardened skeptics might be surprised by the results.
If you tried the test, how far did your hands move? According to Wiseman, if they stayed level or shifted just a few inches apart then you aren’t that suggestible. But if they moved more than a few inches, you’re the perfect candidate for a magic trick.
The test can also reveal something about your character. “Non-suggestible types tend to be more down-to-earth, logical and enjoy puzzles and games. In contrast, suggestible types tend to have a good imagination, be sensitive, intuitive and find it easier to become absorbed in books and films,” says Wiseman.
To accompany his new book Paranormality, Wiseman has released a free set of psychological demonstrations where you can learn to perform mind tricks on others.”
Richard Wiseman’s previous best seller 59 Seconds is available here. We can’t recommend it enough.
Wow…. it nearly worked… so is Derren going to give away some of his secrets???
Not gonna play the video as I’m at work, but if it’s the ‘hand getting lighter’ thing, that always works on me (provided I trust the person who’s doing it enough to mentally go along in what they’re saying). Interestingly, I both enjoy logic, puzzles and games AND get easily absorbed in books and films. I’m not that intuitive, though.
My hands didn’t move that far, however I felt a sudden urge to put Regaine foam with monoxigel on this week’s shopping list, in spite of not suffering any hairloss.
Was that part of the test?
Whoo! Totally level! I felt the pull in each direction, though.
My hands were opersite of what was supposed to happen. lol
Mine ended up an inch or two apart.
Couldn’t do it. Don’t trust him. I did one of his before that said to close your eyes, but I opened them and he was holding up signs and larking about. Tsk. Wiseman.
My hands stayed level… but does knowing about the benchmark (i.e the distance between both arms) make one less susceptible to mind control and consequently affect the result?
Mine moved about an inch. This was very interesting!
As the kung fu people say ; “where your mind goes – your energy goes “, I guess how it works is if you can suggest someone’s mind goes to a given area, their body will follow.
Mine didn’t do anything but I enjoy puzzles and games as well as having a good imagination and I love getting absorbed into books and films. So what does that make me?
Mine moved a couple of inches either way. Which is rather odd, I’ve never been particularly succeptable to anything like this before (my brain basically gives a running commentary of “this is stupid… not real… your in control of your own body etc. etc.)
So, not entirely sure why it worked…
OMG my hands were about 8 inches apart, I didn’t even know I was moving them, in fact i thought I was trying not to move them because he said “don’t consciously try and move them” that was weird!
My hands didn’t move. Shame, it would be fun to be hypnotized and watch yourself back on tape.
I also agree with Shah however in larger terms. Reading Tricks of the Mind and Confessions of a Conjuror which include large amounts of information about how he does what he does, does this mean I am less receptive?
apparently, both of my hands were strung to books….
It worked on me! Guess I’m more suggestable than I thought! Just need to get on stage in Derrens show now
Define ‘few’…
Joanna: No, it doesn’t. I’d read all about hypnosis before I was ever hypnotised, and I’m still so susceptible to it, it’s laughable. It’s kind of like allowing yourself to be swept away by a good story, like how you can feel like you’re ‘inside’ a book or film. You know it’s just letters or actors, but that doesn’t lessen the experience.
I think it might be a great test for determining whether or not someone has a powerful imagination, but someone can have a powerful imagination and not be susceptible to hypnosis (though it probably makes them more likely to become hypnotized). Alas, maybe I just haven’t found the right hypnotist who can snap me out of reality, LOL.
No it didn’t work. But that had a lot to do with the fact that I didn’t want it to, and I knew what Richard Wiseman was up to, which I think has a lot to do with it. I think we are all suggestible to a degree, we influence our own actions and the actions of others all the time and often without being aware. We learn from an early age how to manipulate parents etc. There are different types of ‘Mind Control’. A word weaver, (McFly
such as DB, is one of them. That type of suggestion works ‘covertly’ by sneaking in a word or gesture when people are focused on something else, which lets face it, there are many distractions out there. I think the only reason some are more affected than others are forgetfulness, lack of observation or indifference.
there was no change for me at all. same level throughout. but 2 hours later while in the main street I nearly got arrested for making funny arm waves at everybody….
I went the wrong way by about an inch. probably coz i spent half the vid working out my left from my right…
Paranormality is brilliant! Must read! Richard Wiseman knows his stuff
Yes my right hand went up….. just a little tho
Right-handed peoples right hand goes up? Left-handed left hand goes up?
If you don’t get what I mean, try just holding your hands out level without imagining a balloon and bricks and see what happens :p Perhaps you’re only suggestible if you believe the balloon and brick tale…
My hands didn’t move at all.
I usually solve sudoku or play a somputer game while watching movies…
Typying error, I meant to write computer, not somputer.
I cannot believe that just happened… *Typing.
I *tried* to listen and imagine as well as I could. Got nothing
Wow my left hand was more affected than the right and dropped about 6″. It just felt really heavy and I tried to keep it level but opened my eyes ans realised I failed!
i actively tried to stop it working seein as i already know how easily i can be hypnotised. was sat here all smug that my hands were still level, till i opened my eyes and realised they actually werent lol. doh! damn you stupid pushover brain!
to daniel: i think the thing is is to not try harder than what you normally would to listen to him.
Nothing happened for me. Doesn’t work out with the definitions since I love puzzles and games but also have a really strong imagination.Can totally lose myself in books and films ect.
This got me sorta confused. My hands stayed level, and I kinda knew they would as I’ve never been very suggestible. However, in the explanation of what kind of people are suggestible, and what kind of people are not, I was a perfect match for both categories :S I’ve got a vivid imagination, which I tend to use when I solve puzzles and reason my way through life. I’m down to earth most of the time, but if I play a game, watch a movie, hear a good piece of music, or sit down with my guitar I let my mind run free, and unconditionally give myself up to the moment.
So what does that make me? Schizophrenic?
“Are you prone to mind control?”
I’m sorry, but you’ll need to provide me with the answer you require.
If you all closed your eyes and held out your hands then you’re all highly suggestible.
LitoSopher: No, it makes you someone who loves to talk about themselves :-p
So where’s the video? I cannot see it, unless this is part of my inbuilt protection mechanism to avoid such things!
Personally I’m thinking it’s a technology problem
My hands moved (in the opposite direction to the suggestions) but this proves nothing. Try doing the same thing in silence. You hands may still move – it’s just because you’re holding your hands out and your eyes are closed… it’s unrelated to suggestion.
Goodness me as soon as he mentioned the word books my left arm sank like a stone, which almost made me laugh!! My step dad always says I am one of the most suggestable teens out there XD mine were hands were about 40cm+ apart hahahaha
lol my right hand actually went down a bit and my hands didn’t move apart at all, there must be something wrong with my mind!
MY left hand went down about 5 cm :O I’m suggestible x