Suggestion, in psychology, is the acceptance of an idea by the mind without critical thought. For example, if someone merely makes a throwing motion, many observers will be sure that something actually was thrown. They get this impression because the mind tends to complete a partial picture. Similarly, if a parent touches the forehead of a child who feels ill, the parent may believe that the child has a fever, even though a thermometer would show a normal temperature.
Professional magicians rely on suggestion for most of their effects. If a magician goes through the motion of tossing a coin into a cup, and if people in the audience hear the expected jingling sound, they assume the coin is in the cup. Advertisers use suggestion in many ways. No advertiser would dare guarantee that a person will become popular by using a certain product. But the advertisements may strongly suggest this result.
Children accept suggestions more easily than adults do, because they are less critical and less experienced. Most uneducated or prejudiced people also accept suggestion easily. People are more suggestible when they are worried, tired, or ill.
