A study says that on the average, 25 out of 100 people can be hypnotized very easily. Almost all children belong to this group, who are perceived to be highly susceptible to suggestion. This ratio varies according to the hypnotists personality, technique, and experience. The success of the hypnotist also depends on the subjects personality, attention span, and mental status at the moment. Interestingly, while it seems rational that persons with high intellect cannot be easily hypnotized because of their capacity to process all information that gets into their brain it is in fact the opposite. It is believed that intelligent people are also the most creative thus they can easily associate the hypnotists word play with their own visual or sensory representations.
Chapter 3 - Words of Caution
Hypnotism is a neutral force it is neither good nor bad. Its value depends on who wields it, and how it will be used. Mind control, the power of suggestion, and tapping into the subconscious, are dangerous if abused.
Hypnotism is more vulnerable to abuse because it does not take great effort for someone to be able to learn how to do it. Almost anybody can practice it and achieve a minimum of success. And although the effect may be temporary or minimal, still hypnotism has the capacity to alter something in the way the subject may think, behave, or decide in the future.
