Chapter IV.

Suggestion of Imitation.
V. The Suggestion of Imitation: This form of Suggestion while
being in itself a distinct phase of Suggestion, nevertheless
has a very close relationship with the several other forms
of Suggestion. In the acceptance of Suggestion of Authority
there is to be found an unconscious imitation of the mental
attitude of the person asserting the authority; in Suggestion of
Association there is an imitation of the associated thing; and
in Suggestion of Repetition there is to be found evidences of
imitation. But still, Suggestion of Imitation forms a distinct
phase of Suggestion, in itself.
Man is an imitative animal. There is to be found in the
human race a decided degree of the faculty of imitation which
plays such an important part in the lives of our cousins the
apes and monkeys. Many persons who would resent any such
comparison, nevertheless evince a constant desire to imitate
and follow the actions, thoughts and appearance of those
around them. Individuality is a far more rare thing than is
generally imagined. In fact, let a man show individuality of taste
and action, and he is looked upon as queer, and is avoided as
out of the ordinary by the majority of peopleunless he is
sufficiently strong to force his ideas upon the crowd and thus
Suggestion and Auto-Suggestion
24
set the fashion. We live in an era of imitation, notwithstanding
our claims of individuality. Our civilization demands that we
wear the same cut of clothing; the same width of hat-brim; the
same kind of hair-cut, and the same color of neckwearunder
the penalty of being called eccentric.
We copy the attitudes, appearance, tones, and little personal
peculiarities of some prominent person, seemingly imagining
that by so doing we may absorb his qualities. We think the
thoughts of others, and share their ideas, according to the
same law of Suggestive Imitation. Ideas, as well as clothes, have
their fashion. Our churches and our playhouses fall in line with
the examples set them by others who have caught the public
notice. There is very little room for the individual who prefers
his own ways to those of the leaders of fashion who set the
public exampleit is get in line, or get out. Some actress wears
a new gown of a striking cut, color, or trimming, and the world
of womankind falls in line. Sometimes it is fashionable to be
plump; sometimes the style changes to the svelte willowness
of the Directoire gown. The dressmakers and milliners of
Paris deliberately coin new styles in order that there may be
a demand for the new articles among those who follow the
fashions, and the remainder of the people are gradually forced
into an acceptance of the arbitrary styles.
A new monarch causes a complete change in the accepted
styles of walk, carriage, and personal peculiarities; and even in
republics the same thing is being manifested, each president
causing a manifestation of the desire to follow the lead in
the way of exercise, personalities, etc. An era of calm dignity
is followed by an era of strenuousnessan epoch of tennis
is followed by one of golf, according to the tastes of the
respective leaders. Philosophies, theories, schools of thought
and branches of religious denomination are accepted because
they are fashionable.
The old trick of the practical joker illustrates Suggestion of
Imitation. The joker pauses on a crowded thoroughfare, and
Suggestion of Imitation.