Hot words. Everyone’s so sensitive these days.  I’ve been on other Hypnosis Forums and I’ve heard people say that you should never use the word “sleep”, never say “somnambulism”, don’t say “trance”, you should never say “should” (really, I’m not making these up).

One forum topic came up and I had to make a comment. The subject was about the usage of the term “Suggestibility Tests”. Don’t say call it a “test”, they say. It sets up a barrier in the subjects mind as it creates an anxiety about whether they’ll pass or fail. Set it up so that everyone always wins. No one fails.

Really? Here’s my rant comment:

It is almost guaranteed that anyone who has had a formal education, even if they didn’t finish high school, has had the experience of taking a test. People who have gone to the doctor may have had to give a sample of one type of body fluid or another to get it tested. And if we’re old enough to drive… that’s right, we’ve had to take TWO tests!

I believe that despite our individual anxiety levels regarding the ordeal of test-taking, that there is, at least initially, a collective desire that we want to do well on our tests. History test, driving test, STD test, we all want the best possible outcome. When did we all become so fragile as to be unable to tolerate the use of the word “test” in a conversation? When did it become about winning? Why must everyone win?

I get it. I really do. People wince, freak out a little, perspiration rate increases a tad, thermal imaging shows spikes. But it still makes me roll my eyes that people believe they have to tip-toe around the usage of terms that identify a common experience.

It is my belief that the label of “suggestibility test” is part of the set-up. It frames that part of the pre-talk to get the subject to participate and want the best possible outcome. If one chooses to use as a model the mind-set of pass/fail, no one is choosing “fail” from the outset. They want to know what it’s going to take to pass, or even excel, if they feel they have a chance. No, they’re not a loser if their hands don’t stick or their eyes open. The suggestibility test is played much more in the spirit of a “laboratory experiment” rather than an IQ Test or a polygraph test.

And if the hypnotist has done their job in establishing good rapport with the subject, then the test or experiment takes on the mood of a collaborative situation of “let’s see what happens when we do this” rather than “I’m going to see how well you jump through this hoop”.

There are many factors that will influence the choices of words that I will use. I will endeavor to use the ones that are the most appropriate, at any particular time, with the best chance of communicating my meaning for a desired result.