<p>I wanted to know whether there are known cases of people who unwillingly enter a state of obedience due to specific external triggers. Is this considered normal, and if not, are there known treatments?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-29T22:27:50.360Z
Closely related: [Obey any command given suddenly, as in the Jumping Frenchmen of Maine](http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/q/353/4086). Hypnosis would count for your purposes, right?
Nick Stauner
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-30T05:43:17.367Z
The title there is related, but the examples given there are vague. As to hypnosis - this is a state where the subject follows the hypnotist's suggestions. Exactly the behavior we want to get rid of.
user5102
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-30T06:24:52.880Z
It would most likely happen only after serious abuse and only in response to the abuser. There would not be an on-off switch. Stockholm Syndrome is one example of a similar problem. Your research can start there.
anongoodnurse
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-30T11:10:27.217Z
Many thanks, medica!
What if someone other than the abuser does something that resembles the abuser (e.g. gesture, phrase, outfit) - do you think this might trigger the state of obedience?
user5102
CC BY-SA 3.0
2014-05-31T03:19:42.243Z
Not predictably, no, and not with every abuse case. I would say that is more of a television trope.
anongoodnurse
<cognitive-psychology><decision-making>
triggered state of obedience
user5102
# triggered state of obedience

(Asked by: username_0 on 2014-05-29)

I wanted to know whether there are known cases of people who unwillingly enter a state of obedience due to specific external triggers. Is this considered normal, and if not, are there known treatments?

**Tags:** cognitive-psychology, decision-making

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Closely related: [Obey any command given suddenly, as in the Jumping Frenchmen of Maine](http://cogsci.stackexchange.com/q/353/4086). Hypnosis would count for your purposes, right?  
> **username_0**: The title there is related, but the examples given there are vague. As to hypnosis - this is a state where the subject follows the hypnotist's suggestions. Exactly the behavior we want to get rid of.  
> **username_2**: It would most likely happen only after serious abuse and only in response to the abuser. There would not be an on-off switch. Stockholm Syndrome is one example of a similar problem. Your research can start there.  
> **username_0**: Many thanks, medica! What if someone other than the abuser does something that resembles the abuser (e.g. gesture, phrase, outfit) - do you think this might trigger the state of obedience?  
> **username_2**: Not predictably, no, and not with every abuse case. I would say that is more of a television trope.  

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## 0 answers

