I'm a hypnotist. I've studied and practiced for more than 20 years now.
The very first lesson one learns about hypnosis is that there are five paths that can be used to bypass the critical factor - the decision-making part of the brain.
Monotonous repetition
Peer pressure - Our subconscious tendency to imitate those we identify with.
Appeal from authority - Parents, teachers, doctors, clergy, elected officials, maybe even anchorman (well, maybe back in the days of Cronkite)
Highly emotional state
Altered state of consciousness - This can be anything from hypnotic induction to a change in the pattern of our brain waves brought about by the other four. It could also include the overload of input. Our conscious minds can juggle about 7 different ideas at a time before we get confused and our subconscious grabs the first thing that offers stability or makes sense.
The goal is to bundle these thoughts into a single act that we often call, "muscle memory". But, until that happens, often we become overwhelmed.
TV commercials are good at using all 5 of these in a single 30 second spot.
I'm a hypnotist. I've studied and practiced for more than 20 years now. The very first lesson one learns about hypnosis is that there are five paths that can be used to bypass the critical factor - the decision-making part of the brain.
Monotonous repetition
Peer pressure - Our subconscious tendency to imitate those we identify with.
Appeal from authority - Parents, teachers, doctors, clergy, elected officials, maybe even anchorman (well, maybe back in the days of Cronkite)
Highly emotional state
Altered state of consciousness - This can be anything from hypnotic induction to a change in the pattern of our brain waves brought about by the other four. It could also include the overload of input. Our conscious minds can juggle about 7 different ideas at a time before we get confused and our subconscious grabs the first thing that offers stability or makes sense.
The goal is to bundle these thoughts into a single act that we often call, "muscle memory". But, until that happens, often we become overwhelmed.
TV commercials are good at using all 5 of these in a single 30 second spot.
That's cult behavior too, isn't it?