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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Suggestible Brain summary
Amir Raz
The Science and Magic of How We Make Up Our Minds
20 mins
Brief summary
The Suggestible Brain delves into the surprising power of suggestion on our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. It uncovers how our brains respond to subtle cues and the profound implications for personal influence and decision-making.
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The Suggestible Brain
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Suggestion and suggestibility
To fully flex the power of suggestion in your own life, you’ll first need to come to grips with two separate but very much linked concepts: that of suggestion and suggestibility.
While they may sound similar, their distinctions are subtle but significant. A suggestion is a type of communication designed to influence, to call up ideas or images in another’s mind, or imply that something is true.
Suggestibility, on the other hand, is the degree to which someone is predisposed to accept and act on the suggestions of others. It’s important to clarify: having high suggestibility doesn’t equate to gullibility or an increased risk of being manipulated. In fact, suggestions can offer us valuable opportunities for self-discovery and personal growth. They compel us to measure our own beliefs and inclinations against those of others, and determine whether or not it’s worth changing our course of action or thought.
Conversely, a low level of suggestibility can present its own challenges. For example, someone who rigidly anchors themselves to their own viewpoint – like a skeptic unwilling to trust expert medical advice – may limit their ability to benefit from others’ insights. Striking a balance between staying grounded in your own perspective and remaining open to advice or suggestions can improve decision-making and lead to better outcomes. Even conflicting advice, while frustrating, can serve as a catalyst for refining your own judgments and choices with greater discernment.
Throughout life, levels of suggestibility naturally fluctuate. During times of change or transition, we tend to be more open to suggestions: adolescents may lean into peer influence, new parents seek guidance from experienced caregivers, and someone reeling from a breakup might eagerly turn to friends for dating advice. These suggestion-heavy periods are times rich with input in how to navigate life.
Suggestibility, when harnessed thoughtfully, is a powerful asset. And as you’ll see in the next section, this openness to influence isn’t just a quirk of human behavior – it’s a trait that has evolved and served a vital purpose over time.
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What is The Suggestible Brain about?
The Suggestible Brain (2024) explores how the power of suggestion can shape our perceptions, beliefs, and physiology. In a wide ranging analysis that touches on human evolution, the placebo effect, the Salem Witch trials and more, it persuasively makes the case that suggestion is among humankind’s most powerful tools of influence.
Who should read The Suggestible Brain?
- Psychologists who want to understand how suggestion impacts mental health
- Healthcare professionals fascinated by the mind-body connection
- Anyone who wants to use the power of suggestion to their advantage
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