suggestibility: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Academic, Technical
Quick answer
What does “suggestibility” mean?
The quality or state of being easily influenced by suggestions from others.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The quality or state of being easily influenced by suggestions from others.
In psychology, it refers to the tendency to accept and act on the ideas, commands, or influences of others. It can also describe a cognitive trait where false memories or perceptions are easily implanted.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling is consistent.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Connotes a susceptibility to influence, which may be neutral (as in a psychological trait) or slightly negative (implying weakness).
Frequency
Rare in general discourse in both varieties, but standard in academic and psychological contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “suggestibility” in a Sentence
the suggestibility of [a person/group][adj.] suggestibilitysusceptibility to suggestibilityVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “suggestibility” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- She was in a highly suggestible state after the long ordeal.
American English
- The ad targeted a suggestible teen audience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might be used in leadership/management discussions about team dynamics or marketing research on consumer behaviour.
Academic
Common in psychology, sociology, and forensic science literature to discuss cognitive biases, false memories, interrogation techniques, or social influence.
Everyday
Very rare. If used, it might describe someone seen as overly impressionable.
Technical
Core term in psychology, especially in studies on hypnosis, false memory formation, witness reliability, and social compliance.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “suggestibility”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “suggestibility”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “suggestibility”
- Misspelling as 'sugestibility' (missing one 'g') or 'suggestability' (incorrect suffix). Confusing with 'suggestion' itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. In psychology, it is a neutral term describing a measurable cognitive trait. In some contexts, like being open to therapeutic suggestions, it can be positive. In everyday use, it often has a negative connotation.
'Suggestibility' often implies a more passive, automatic, or non-rational acceptance of ideas (e.g., under hypnosis). 'Persuadability' suggests a more active cognitive process where arguments are weighed, even if one is easily convinced.
No, 'suggestibility' is a noun. The related verb is 'to suggest'. The adjective is 'suggestible'.
Psychologists use standardized tests, such as the Gudjonsson Suggestibility Scale (GSS), which involves presenting a narrative and then asking leading questions to see if the participant's recall is altered.
The quality or state of being easily influenced by suggestions from others.
Suggestibility is usually formal, academic, technical in register.
Suggestibility: in British English it is pronounced /səˌdʒes.təˈbɪl.ə.ti/, and in American English it is pronounced /sə(ɡ)ˌdʒes.təˈbɪl.ə.t̬i/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a 'SUGGESTion' being so powerful it creates an 'ABILITY' in you to believe it without question.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE MIND IS A SOFT SUBSTANCE (impressionable, malleable, easily shaped by external forces).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'suggestibility' most precisely and frequently used?