Derren Brown demonstrates the power of negative suggestion by taking 19-year-old Lauren on an emotional rollercoaster."
I was completely mesmerised as I watched this episode! In this programme Darren Brown shows in just 23 minutes, in a most visible and extraordinary way, the power of negative suggestion.
A student, Lauren, was recruited by Derren Brown - in his own unique way of course – to take part in a very simple task.
Derren had put a very small and adorable kitten (even non cat lovers would agree) in a glass container. Derren introduced Lauren to the kitten and then showed her how the glass container was wired up to a box with a large red button on it which he had placed on a nearby table. If the red button was pushed a bolt of electricity would be transmitted to the glass container and the kitten would die.
Lauren’s task couldn’t have been easier and the reward for getting the task right was pretty compelling too. Derren explained that the task for Lauren was simply not to kill the cat. The reward she would get for not killing the cat was £500.00. Now really, that could not have been a more simple task could it?
Derren offered Lauren a drink, engaged in a bit of small talk, reminded her of the task to not kill the cat and then left the room. He went into another room where he could observe Lauren – and so could we. What we saw next was extraordinary! We, the audience were shown a clock that was counting down the minutes at the same time as we were watching what Lauren was doing.
Just seconds before the clock ran out, to our utter disbelief, Lauren went over to the red button and pushed it – killing the cat!!
Well - you can only imagine the upset and the horror anyone would have experienced the second they had done something like that!! Derren quickly came back into the room to comfort Lauren and to explain that the kitten wasn’t dead and he also quickly explained the nature of the experiment in which Lauren had taken part in.
What We Focus On Is What We Get
Derren’s point was so very simple – and so very powerful too: We focus so much on what we want to avoid or what we don’t want and ironically that is the very thing we end up getting!
The Law of Attraction states that what you focus your attention on is what you will manifest. Others refer to this as the phenomena of “The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy” and psychologists refer to this phenomenon as ‘The Expectancy Theory.’
Whatever you want to call it, the point is simple – what we focus on is what we will tend to get.
What Kind of Relationship Do You Want?
It works like this. The beliefs you carry (whether you are aware of them or not) drive your behaviours. So, for example, if your attention is focused on ‘this relationship won’t work,’ you align your behaviours and actions with that belief. The relationship fails and you end up saying, “See I told you so!”
Do you know what you want from a relationship? If you could identify the ideal person with whom to have an ideal relationship, how would you describe him/her? How would you describe your ideal relationship?
Five Minute Workout: Take a moment and try the “My Ideal Relationship Exercise”:
Take a piece of paper and make two lists:
On the one list, describe your ideal partner
On the second list, describe your ideal relationship
Write whatever comes to your mind. No one will see the paper except yourself and you are not being assessed or judged – just go for it!
Make your lists as extensive and exhaustive and specific as you wish.
When you have finished making your two lists, have a look at them and answer the following question:
Did you fall into “The Negative Trap”, as Derren Brown calls it? Did you start describing what you don’t want in a relationship? Did you describe what you don’t want in your ideal partner?
If you didn’t describe what you don’t want – Congratulations! You are certainly in the minority!
If you did, however, describe what you don’t want, you are not alone! This is the place most people start with. In fact, in my coaching and therapy practice, that is what most of my clients come to me with – what they don’t want. They are clear about what they don’t want and what they are sick and tired and fed up with. And when I ask then what they do want – I’m often met with a stunned look!
What’s The Bottom Line?
As we noted, The Law of Attraction – or whatever you chose to call it - states that what you focus on is what you get. So, bearing this in mind – if you want to create your ideal relationship and if you want to meet your ideal partner, wouldn’t it make sense for you to think about what you do want as opposed to what you don’t want?
Try The Relationship Workout again. This time as you describe your ideal partner and your ideal relationship – focus on what you want (rather than what you don’t want). State everything in the positive.
How did that feel?
What was different this time?
What did you learn?
By changing the way you think, you have just taken a massive step toward taking control of your life and relationships. For more on finding your ideal partner and creating your perfect relationship sign up for my free e-course – free to the first 100 subscribers only!! Go to: www.thesinglesgym.com
What have you got to lose – As the Nike advert says: Go For It!!
If you missed Derren Brown’s Trick or Treat programme, you must get on line and watch it. It will be available for 7 more days.
Trick or Treat Series 2
Darren Brown - Channel4, Friday 9th May, 10:00pm
Watch it on: http://www.channel4.com/video/derren-brown-trick-or-treat/catchup.html#popover
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N.B. It's Derren.
How many Laurens were there before one was filmed pressing the button ?
You also missed out the most important point : Derren "regressed" Lauren by reminding her of her childhood by association with childhood toy and getting her to draw a picture, which she had to sign (just like in the infants at school).
Posted by: Chris | May 23, 2008 at 06:39 PM