Hypnotism: Its History, Practice and Theory |
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those who remain, B. is chosen to think of some object present, which A. is
to find. A. comes back, takes B.'s hand and demands that he shall think steadfastly
of the chosen object; let us say it is the lamp. B. thinks steadfastly of it,
and it is seen that A. and B. go together towards the lamp, till A., pointing
to it, says, "That was the object thought of." Simple as this process—explained
by Beard, Gley, Richet, GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. 63 Obersteiner, Preyer, and known about sixty years ago to Chevreul and Braid—may be, it appeared enigmatical to many at first. The usual explanation of thought-reading is the following :—B. thinks steadily of the place of the lamp, and has at the same time slight movements of the body, and particularly of the muscles of the arm, in the direction of the lamp. A. feels these muscular movements and follows them, he permits himself to be directed by them, and in this way finds the object thought of. B., naturally, did not make the movements intentionally, consequently they were involuntary and unconscious. All the same, the movements were strong enough to show A. the way. This example shows us the following B. had a certain idea (namely, that of the lamp) in his head, and this concept called up the movements. The movement of the lips which occurs where one thinks intensely of a word, is of analogous character (Stricker). We see, then, from the foregoing, that ideas aroused in us have an effect which sometimes shows itself as other concepts (ideas, sensations, and so forth), and sometimes externally as movement; in many cases, perhaps in all, there is both an internal and an external effect. What effect appears, what idea, what feeling, what movement will be induced by the first concept, depends upon the individuality of the person, upon his imagery, upon his character, his habits, and upon the species of the concept. In many cases a person, A., is able to attain some particular effect intended, by rousing in B. a definite concept; and this effect is often obtained independently of B.'s will, or even against it. We see an example of this in a juggler. He wants to take some object or other in his right hand without being seen by the public; to attain this he looks at another point—for example, his left hand. The eyes of the spectators involuntarily follow his. By glancing at his left hand the juggler has caused the spectators to look in the same direction.. He has aroused in the spectators the idea that something is going on in his left hand; and this idea has had the effect of making the spectators look at his left hand. It is not at all necessary that the spectator should be conscious of the idea which is being impressed on him. Habit impels him to look in any direction indicated, without further consideration ; and thus spectators are |
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