Mental Microbe. Suggestion, Conviction, and Other Ways to Influence Collective Consciousness

The book you are holding was written by a scientist for whom the human brain was not just an organ or a mechanism, but a living center of fate, character, suffering, and hopes. Consequently, as an outstanding psychiatrist, physiologist, and psychologist, he was interested in how much the brain is susceptible to external influences. The phenomenon of suggestion was studied by Bekhterev throughout his life. "There is no doubt, - he wrote, - that this mental microbe is no less destructive than a physical microbe, prompting nations from time to time to devastating wars and mutual extermination... Nevertheless, one cannot fail to recognize that suggestion, in other cases, is that powerful factor capable of inspiring nations to the greatest feats, which make an extremely bright and majestic mark in history."

The preface to this book was written by the great-great-granddaughter of Vladimir Mikhailovich, who, continuing the family dynasty, also works in the field of psychology.