Cognitive Domain

Hypnosis

What is Hypnosis?

Hypnosis• An altered state of consciousness in which a

hypnotist makes suggestions about perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors, and the subject follows those suggestions

History of Hypnosis

• Franz Anton Mesmer (late 1700s)– Austrian physician– Originated “Mesmerism,” a procedure for

physical disorders• Afflicted body parts were thought to be cured by

passing magnets over the body• Some patients fell into a trance and awoke feeling

better

• James Braid (1795-1860)– English surgeon– Coined “hypnosis”

• Jean Charcot (1825-1893)– French neurologist– Explained hypnosis as a hysterical condition

with three stages (lethargy, catalepsy, somnambulism)

Hypnotizability

• Differences in the ability of people to become hypnotized

• Varies from person to person• Varies from situation to situation

Hypnotizability

Hypnotic Techniques

Limits to Hypnotic Suggestions

• Suggestions usually involve sensations, thoughts, emotions, and a wide variety of behaviors.

• Hypnosis does not cause behaviors.• Hypnosis can lead people to certain

behaviors but so can ordinary suggestions.

Hypnotic Induction• The process by which a hypnotist creates a

state of hypnosis in a subject• Usually done by voicing a series of

suggestions• Voice is usually calm and of a rhythmic tone

Changes exhibited during hypnosis

• Lack of initiation• Redistributed attention• Vivid imagination and fantasizing• Increased role-testing• Reduced reality testing

Performance of Acts Against One’s Will

• Hypnotized people are not more likely to perform antisocial acts than people who are asked to simulate hypnosis

• An authoritative person in a legitimate context is sufficient to induce unlikely acts.

Hypnotic Techniques:Posthypnotic Suggestions

Posthypnotic Suggestions

• Hypnotic suggestion that the subject will carry out after the hypnosis session has ended

• Technique can be used to encourage helpful behavior changes, such as stopping smoking or losing weight.

Hypnotic Amnesia

• Inability to remember what happened during hypnosis because the hypnotist suggests that the subject will have no memory of that period of time

Applications of Hypnosis:

Hypnosis and Memory

Hypnosis and Memory

• There are isolated cases of hypnosis helping recall.

• Cannot be sure if the memory came back due to hypnosis

• Cannot be sure if the memory is accurate or one that is created to please the hypnotist

Controversy About Hypnosis as an Altered State

Social Influence Theory

Social Influence Theory

• Theory that powerful social influences produce a state of hypnosis.

• This theory notes that a person’s physiological state does not change under hypnosis, merely a person’s complying with social demands

• Social factors influence people to believe hypnosis will work.

• Nonhypnotized persons can duplicate many aspects of behavior

Divided Consciousness Theory

Divided Consciousness Theory

• Theory that during hypnosis our consciousness splits so that one aspect of consciousness is not aware of the role that other parts are playing.

• Promoted by Ernest Hilgard (1904-2001)

Applications of Hypnosis:

Hypnosis and Pain Control

Pain and Hypnosis

• Hypnosis does work as a means to control pain.

• Has a number of practical applications

Applications of Hypnosis:

Other Hypnotic Claims

Placebo Effect

• Improvement due only to the power of positive expectations

• People think they will get better so they do

Feats of Strength

• Many feats of strength done under hypnosis can be accomplished without hypnosis.

Feats of Strength

Age Regression

• Under hypnosis, the supposed ability to remember earlier periods of time in one’s life

• Psychologists consider age regression demonstrations unreliable.

Meditation

MeditationA technique designed to create an altered

state of consciousness characterized by inner peace and tranquility

Attention focused on one thing, often a word of sound or object, until thoughts slow or stop

Physiological Effects

• Slower breathing• Slower heart rate• Lower muscle tension• Lower blood pressure• Lower oxygen consumption• EEG activity pattern found relaxed, eyes-

closed waking states

• Reduced anxiety levels• Lower resting blood pressure• Reduced insomnia• Improved self-esteem• Social openness

The End

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