Can magical intervention affect subjective experiences? : adults' reactions to magical suggestion.

Psychology

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https://doi.org/10.1348/000712608X368270
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Can magical intervention affect subjective experiences? : adults' reactions to magical suggestion. / Subbotsky, Eugene.
In: British Journal of Psychology, Vol. 100, No. 3, 08.2009, p. 517-537.

Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review

Bibtex

@article{cd8625b71f4e483693f01e2793fe72e7,

title = "Can magical intervention affect subjective experiences? : adults' reactions to magical suggestion.",

abstract = "In three experiments, undergraduates{\textquoteright} subjective experiences were affected by positive magical intervention. A large number of participants accepted the offer of magical help, yet the outcomes they reported were contrary to the aims of the magical intervention. In Experiment 1, participants were offered magical help that aimed to improve their practical skills. However, in the magical-suggestion condition, they reported no improvement signiﬁcantly more frequently than in the control no- suggestion condition. In Experiment 2, participants who accepted the offer of magical help aimed at improving their general life satisfaction reported a signiﬁcant decrease in this satisfaction. Those who declined the offer of magical help reported a signiﬁcant increase in satisfaction. In Experiment 3, in the magical-suggestion condition, participants experienced bad dreams signiﬁcantly more frequently than in the control condition. In conclusion, the data suggest that adult participants protect their subjective experiences against magical intervention.",

author = "Eugene Subbotsky",

year = "2009",

month = aug,

doi = "10.1348/000712608X368270",

language = "English",

volume = "100",

pages = "517--537",

journal = "British Journal of Psychology",

issn = "0007-1269",

publisher = "Wiley-Blackwell",

number = "3",

}

RIS

TY - JOUR

T1 - Can magical intervention affect subjective experiences? : adults' reactions to magical suggestion.

AU - Subbotsky, Eugene

PY - 2009/8

Y1 - 2009/8

N2 - In three experiments, undergraduates’ subjective experiences were affected by positive magical intervention. A large number of participants accepted the offer of magical help, yet the outcomes they reported were contrary to the aims of the magical intervention. In Experiment 1, participants were offered magical help that aimed to improve their practical skills. However, in the magical-suggestion condition, they reported no improvement signiﬁcantly more frequently than in the control no- suggestion condition. In Experiment 2, participants who accepted the offer of magical help aimed at improving their general life satisfaction reported a signiﬁcant decrease in this satisfaction. Those who declined the offer of magical help reported a signiﬁcant increase in satisfaction. In Experiment 3, in the magical-suggestion condition, participants experienced bad dreams signiﬁcantly more frequently than in the control condition. In conclusion, the data suggest that adult participants protect their subjective experiences against magical intervention.

AB - In three experiments, undergraduates’ subjective experiences were affected by positive magical intervention. A large number of participants accepted the offer of magical help, yet the outcomes they reported were contrary to the aims of the magical intervention. In Experiment 1, participants were offered magical help that aimed to improve their practical skills. However, in the magical-suggestion condition, they reported no improvement signiﬁcantly more frequently than in the control no- suggestion condition. In Experiment 2, participants who accepted the offer of magical help aimed at improving their general life satisfaction reported a signiﬁcant decrease in this satisfaction. Those who declined the offer of magical help reported a signiﬁcant increase in satisfaction. In Experiment 3, in the magical-suggestion condition, participants experienced bad dreams signiﬁcantly more frequently than in the control condition. In conclusion, the data suggest that adult participants protect their subjective experiences against magical intervention.

U2 - 10.1348/000712608X368270

DO - 10.1348/000712608X368270

M3 - Journal article

VL - 100

SP - 517

EP - 537

JO - British Journal of Psychology

JF - British Journal of Psychology

SN - 0007-1269

IS - 3

ER -

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