Conversational Postulates are requests for action or information masquerading as yes or no questions. It is a question which, on the face of it, requires a Yes or No answer, but which is really demanding a specific behavior. ‘Could you pass me the cream?’ is a request for action, not an inquiry about ability. ‘Do you really have to stand there?’ is a request for someone to move. Similarly, questions can be posed in hypnosis that are really instructions.
Conversational questions can be tested by trying a ‘yes/no’ answer to see if it fits.
| ‘I wonder if you can recall a time when you were really relaxed?’. | |
| ‘Can you imagine some peaceful, restful place? ‘ | |
| ‘I wonder if you could imagine a big old house somewhere….? ‘ | |
| ‘Could you begin to relax while counting backwards from ten?’ | |
| ‘Can you tell me what time it is?’ | |
| ‘Do you know what today’s date is?’ | |
| ‘Can you lend me a pen?’ | |
| ‘Can you go into a trance easily?’ |