False beliefs and memories can affect people's attitudes, at least in the short term. But can they produce real changes in behavior? This study explored whether falsely suggesting to subjects that they had experienced a food-related event in their childhood would lead to a change in their behavior shortly after the suggestion and up to 4 months later. We falsely suggested to 180 subjects that, as children, they had gotten ill after eating egg salad. Results showed that, after this manipulation, a significant minority of subjects came to believe they had experienced this childhood event even though they had initially denied having experienced it. This newfound autobiographical belief was accompanied by the intent to avoid egg salad, and also by significantly reduced consumption of egg-salad sandwiches, both immediately and 4 months after the false suggestion. The false suggestion of a childhood event can lead to persistent false beliefs that have lasting behavioral consequences.

Psychol Sci. 2008 Aug;19(8):749-53. Geraerts E, Bernstein DM, Merckelbach H, Linders C, Raymaekers L, Loftus EF. University of St. Andrews, School of Psychology, St. Mary's Quadrangle, St. Andrews, Fife KY16 9JP, United Kingdom. elke.geraerts@st-andrews.ac.uk

Posted: 04/06/2009



This article provided by The International Hypnosis Research Institute.

Enter your email address to subscribe to the IHRI Newsletter.

Do Away With Jealousy Release Jealousy To Discover Deeper Relationships Of Trust!This hypnosis session will teach you take back control of your imagination so that you use it for positive visualization, rather than negative suspicions.

Divorce Survival Does it seem like your life has fallen apart since you divorce?This hypnosis session addresses issues such as letting go of anger& bitterness,visualizing a compelling future,self care suggestions,&it can become a valuable tool for you to grow & heal.

Attracting Your Love Do you hope to find that special someone in your life, a Soul Mate? This hypnosis session works on a deep mental level to help you visualize the kind of person or people you want to attract. You’ll become happier as your circle of love expands!