Hand Magnet Test

by Peter Saks on October 23, 2009

Instruct subject to stand up and put his arms straight in front of him with his palms facing each other. Demonstrate this position to them as you describe it. When your subject has taken the right position, continue with following speech: "In the next few moments, when I count to three, I would like you to imagine that one of your hands is a magnet and the other one is a piece of metal. Every time, I start counting to three, you will feel irresistible force pulling your hands together, each time you experience it, it is getting stronger and stronger and the more you try to resist it, the stronger it gets 1-2-3... you can experience the force as the magnet pulls your hands together, stronger and stronger. Closer and closer. 1-2-3, this pull is getting stronger and more you resist it, the more powerful it becomes. 1-2-3, ". From that point you continue with suggestions similar to these. After few minutes, most of the people will have their hands locked, however there always are some that don't react in the way you would like them to.

The key in suggestibility test, is very authoritative voice and behaviour. You should make subjects feel like you have complete power over them. Speak confident and loud, do not shout but project state of full control and confidence, make them feel like they have to follow your commands. Also don't suggest your subjects to move their hands together, when you say "pull your hands together" it should sound like an order.

This is a very powerful suggestibility test, it is very easy, works most of the time and takes advantage of physical aspect of our bodies. When your hands get more tired, what you will discover is the fact that you will start pulling them together, just to feel physical release in muscles. Also after this test, you can use the next one I will introduce you to later, making even more dramatic impression on your audience.