Final answer:
Highly hypnotizable individuals are at increased risk for suggestibility which may result in the implantation of false memories or altered behaviors. Hypnosis is used effectively in therapy but also necessitates careful application to prevent suggestibility-related issues.
Step-by-step explanation:
Individuals who are highly hypnotizable are at risk for heightened suggestibility, which may lead to the creation of false memories or altered perceptions, particularly when subjected to misleading information. Hypnosis is a state of extreme self-focus and minimal attention to external stimuli, during which a person is more open to suggestions. This can be beneficial for therapeutic purposes, such as pain management and treatment of depression, but it also means that a highly hypnotizable individual could be more susceptible to suggestion-induced distortions of memory or behavior.
Historically, there's been skepticism around hypnosis due to its dramatic portrayal in media, but it is an empirically based therapy with real-world applications. Brain imaging studies show global changes in brain function during hypnotic states, emphasizing its profound effects on the mind. People's behavior during hypnosis can also be seen as the performance of the social role expected of a hypnotized person, according to the social-cognitive theory of hypnosis.