Relation of Suggestibility to Obesity

Abstract

73 subjects participated in an experiment designed to determine whether there is a positive correlation between obesity and suggestibility. Each subject was tested individually for suggestibility, using the Barber Suggestibility Scale under task-motivational conditions. The percentage overweight was estimated for each subject and correlated with the Objective and Subjective suggestibility scores. The correlations were not significant and suggestibility did not increase with an increase in obesity. When the suggestibility scores for the obese subjects were compared with the scores obtained by normal and obese subjects by other investigators, it was clear that obese persons' levels of suggestibility were no greater than that for the general population. There was also no significant relationship between age and suggestibility scores. Implications for treatment and demand characteristics of the experimental situation were discussed.