Examining Variables in the 1942 Sleep Suggestion Study on Behavior Change

QUESTION

In 1942 a study was done to see if a vocal suggestions made while a person is sleeping can change his behavior while awake. Professor Lawrence Leshan stood awake all night repeating “my fingernails taste terribly bitter” to sleeping boys at a camp who had a habit of biting their fingernails. In this study, what variables are being used?

ANSWER

Examining Variables in the 1942 Sleep Suggestion Study on Behavior Change

Introduction

The 1942 study conducted by Professor Lawrence Leshan, involving the use of vocal suggestions during sleep to influence behavior while awake, is an intriguing exploration of the potential power of subconscious messaging. In this essay, we will dissect the study to identify and discuss the variables at play.

Variables in the Study:

Independent Variable: The independent variable in this study is the vocal suggestion made by Professor Leshan during the boys’ sleep. Specifically, it is the phrase “my fingernails taste terribly bitter” that he repeatedly vocalized to the sleeping participants. This variable is manipulated by the researcher to observe its effects on the participants’ behavior.

Dependent Variable: The dependent variable in this study is the behavior of the boys while awake, specifically their nail-biting habits. This variable is measured to determine whether the vocal suggestion during sleep had any impact on changing the behavior of biting their fingernails.

Control Variables: To ensure the integrity of the study, several control variables should be considered. These may include factors such as the duration and timing of the vocal suggestion, the sleep environment, the age and habits of the participants, and the consistency of the vocal suggestion throughout the night. Control variables help rule out extraneous factors that could influence the dependent variable.

Extraneous Variables: Extraneous variables are potential factors that could influence the dependent variable but are not of primary interest in the study. For example, individual differences in susceptibility to suggestions, participants’ dreams during sleep, or other external factors that might affect nail-biting behavior could be considered extraneous variables.

Confounding Variables: Confounding variables are variables that are not controlled for and could potentially distort the relationship between the independent and dependent variables. In this study, confounding variables might include factors like the boys’ awareness of the vocal suggestions, their pre-existing motivation to stop nail-biting, or external cues that might have triggered changes in behavior.

Conclusion

The 1942 study by Professor Lawrence Leshan on the influence of vocal suggestions during sleep on nail-biting behavior while awake is an early exploration into the realm of subconscious messaging. The variables at play in this study are essential to understanding the relationship between the vocal suggestion made during sleep and the observed changes in behavior. Proper control of these variables ensures the validity and reliability of the study’s findings, shedding light on the potential impact of such suggestions on human behavior.

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