When one person has power or authority—such as a policeman, teacher, or government official, he can make other people obey certain commands he gives. But he can’t make them think or feel any way he wishes. The amazing thing about hypnosis is that a person who is hypnotized can actually be made to feel and think as the hypnotist wishes.

For example, a person who is hypnotized can be made to shiver as if he feels cold, or perspire as if he feels hot; his face can be made to turn white as with fright, or red as with embarrassment. He can even be made to hate his favorite food, or enjoy one which he always disliked. However, a person can rarely be hypnotized if he doesn’t wish to be; and he can’t be made to do something illegal or immoral, if he wouldn’t do such things normally.