CYNICS may dismiss it as the kind of notion that appears in upbeat US self-help manuals.
But thinking positively about something really can make it happen, psychologists say. The effects are far more powerful than we realize - and can change our behavior and even how things turn out.
Just anticipating a specific outcome can gear our thoughts and actions towards turning it into reality, research in the journal Psychological Science suggests. For example, if someone shy expects a glass of wine will help them loosen up at a party, they will probably approach more people and get involved in more conversations over the course of the evening.
Although they may give credit to the wine, their expectations of how the wine would make them feel plays a major role, the experts say.
New Zealand psychologists Maryanne Garry and Robert Michael pooled their research into the effects of psychological suggestion with Irving Kirsch of Harvard. Many studies show it can influence how people perform in tasks, which products they prefer and even how they respond to medicines.
The authors said: 'Once we anticipate a specific outcome will occur, our subsequent thoughts and behaviors will actually help to bring that outcome to fruition.' Dr Garry added: 'If we can harness the power of suggestion, we can improve people's lives.'
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