An Introduction to HypnosisAn Introduction to Hypnosis

Society of Psychological Hypnosis Society of Psychological Hypnosis

Division 30 – American Psychological Division 30 – American Psychological AssociationAssociation

Take notes!!Take notes!!

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An Introduction to HypnosisAn Introduction to Hypnosis

I.I. What is Hypnosis ?What is Hypnosis ?

II.II.Common Myths about HypnosisCommon Myths about Hypnosis

III.III. Theories of Hypnotic Responding Theories of Hypnotic Responding

IV.IV. Key Theoretical Controversies in Key Theoretical Controversies in HypnosisHypnosis

IV.IV. Hypnotic SuggestibilityHypnotic Suggestibility

VI.VI. Hypnosis as a Clinical ToolHypnosis as a Clinical Tool

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I. What is Hypnosis ?I. What is Hypnosis ?

A. Defining Hypnosis A. Defining Hypnosis

B. Components of a Hypnotic ProcedureB. Components of a Hypnotic Procedure

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A. Defining Hypnosis A. Defining Hypnosis

• Hypnosis is a procedure involving cognitive Hypnosis is a procedure involving cognitive

processes (processes (like imagination) like imagination) in which a subject is in which a subject is

guided by a hypnotist to respond to suggestions guided by a hypnotist to respond to suggestions

for changes in sensations, perceptions, for changes in sensations, perceptions,

thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

• SometimesSometimes people are trained in self-hypnosis, learn people are trained in self-hypnosis, learn

to to guide themselves through a hypnotic procedure.guide themselves through a hypnotic procedure.

• Psychologists hold a wide variety of opinions on Psychologists hold a wide variety of opinions on how to how to

define hypnosis define hypnosis and on and on how hypnosis workshow hypnosis works..

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B. Two Components of a B. Two Components of a Hypnotic ProcedureHypnotic Procedure

• It is useful to think of a hypnotic It is useful to think of a hypnotic

procedure as consisting of two procedure as consisting of two

phases or components:phases or components:

• Hypnotic InductionHypnotic Induction

• Hypnotic SuggestionsHypnotic Suggestions

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What is a Hypnotic Induction ? What is a Hypnotic Induction ? • An introduction to hypnosis An introduction to hypnosis the subject is guided the subject is guided

through suggestion to through suggestion to

• RelaxRelax

• ConcentrateConcentrate

• Focus his or her attention on some particular thing.Focus his or her attention on some particular thing.

• Some hypnotists believe Some hypnotists believe purpose of the induction is purpose of the induction is

to to induce an altered state of consciousnessinduce an altered state of consciousness..

• Others believe it is a social cue that Others believe it is a social cue that prompts the subject prompts the subject

to engage in hypnotic behaviors. to engage in hypnotic behaviors.

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• The subject is guided to undergo changes in The subject is guided to undergo changes in

experienceexperience..

• Types of Hypnotic SuggestionsTypes of Hypnotic Suggestions::

• Ideomotor Suggestions Ideomotor Suggestions – experience a motor – experience a motor

movement.movement.

• Challenge Suggestions Challenge Suggestions – subject is told he or she – subject is told he or she

will not be able to do some particular thing and will not be able to do some particular thing and

then is asked to perform the prohibited behavior.then is asked to perform the prohibited behavior.

• Cognitive Suggestions Cognitive Suggestions – experience changes in – experience changes in

sensations, perceptions, thoughts or feelings.sensations, perceptions, thoughts or feelings.

What is a Hypnotic Suggestion ?What is a Hypnotic Suggestion ?

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II. Common II. Common MythsMyths about about Hypnosis:Hypnosis:

People in hypnosis…..People in hypnosis…..

• ……lose control and can be made to say or lose control and can be made to say or

do whatever the hypnotist wants. do whatever the hypnotist wants.

• ……may not be able to come out of hypnosis.may not be able to come out of hypnosis.

Hypnosis…Hypnosis…• … … only affects weak-willed or gullible people.only affects weak-willed or gullible people.

• ……reliably enhances the accuracy of memory.reliably enhances the accuracy of memory.

• ……enables people to re-experience a past life.enables people to re-experience a past life.

• ……depends primarily on the skill of the hypnotist.depends primarily on the skill of the hypnotist.

• NONE OF THESE ARE TRUE!!!NONE OF THESE ARE TRUE!!!

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III. Important Theories of III. Important Theories of Hypnotic RespondingHypnotic Responding

A.A. Psychoanalytic ApproachPsychoanalytic Approach

B.B. Neodissociation ApproachNeodissociation Approach

C.C. Socio-Cognitive ApproachSocio-Cognitive Approach

D.D. Transpersonal ApproachTranspersonal Approach

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A. Psychoanalytic Approach: Freud’s A. Psychoanalytic Approach: Freud’s Model of HypnosisModel of Hypnosis

• Freud initially utilized hypnosis to help Freud initially utilized hypnosis to help remove psychosomatic symptoms;remove psychosomatic symptoms;

• Patients suffered from what we would Patients suffered from what we would now call a now call a somatoform disordersomatoform disorder. . • Patients suffered from medical complaints:Patients suffered from medical complaints:

– seizuresseizures

– muscular spasmsmuscular spasms

– paralysis of their limbs that was paralysis of their limbs that was transient and/or was not thought to be transient and/or was not thought to be the entirely the result of a general the entirely the result of a general medical conditionmedical condition..

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Freud’s Model of Freud’s Model of PersonalityPersonality

•Divided into 3 parts- Id, Ego, and Superego;

•Believed that hypnosis allowed him access to memories within the patient’s unconscious mind which had been previously repressed (blocked);

Freud’s Model of Hypnosis continued…Freud’s Model of Hypnosis continued…

• Learned that he could Learned that he could temporarily or temporarily or permanently reduce many of these permanently reduce many of these symptoms symptoms using direct hypnotic using direct hypnotic suggestions for the symptoms to be suggestions for the symptoms to be reversed. reversed.

• ““Your arm is calm again and will no Your arm is calm again and will no longer spasm.” longer spasm.”

• EventuallyEventually Freud used free Freud used free association instead of hypnosis as a association instead of hypnosis as a way of accessing the unconscious. way of accessing the unconscious.

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B. Hilgard’s Neodissociation B. Hilgard’s Neodissociation ApproachApproach

• Recent psychoanalytically-oriented theory.Recent psychoanalytically-oriented theory.• Developed by Developed by Ernest HilgardErnest Hilgard..

• TheoryTheory: Under hypnosis, part of the mind enters : Under hypnosis, part of the mind enters an altered state of consciousness.an altered state of consciousness.

• A second dissociated part of the mind--designated A second dissociated part of the mind--designated the the ““Hidden Observer”Hidden Observer”-- -- remains aware of what remains aware of what is going on during a hypnotic session.is going on during a hypnotic session.

• Part of the mind in an altered state of Part of the mind in an altered state of consciousness = consciousness = very open to hypnotic very open to hypnotic suggestions.suggestions.

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B. Neodissociation – B. Neodissociation – ‘Hidden Observer’ Experiments‘Hidden Observer’ Experiments

Discovered in highly hypnotizable Discovered in highly hypnotizable subjects during dissociative tasks such subjects during dissociative tasks such as as hypnotic deafness hypnotic deafness and and hypnotic pain hypnotic pain analgesiaanalgesia. .

If queriedIf queried some subjects could some subjects could nevertheless give nevertheless give realistic accounts realistic accounts of of the dissociated experience as if a the dissociated experience as if a hidden observer was present within the hidden observer was present within the person watching the whole time!person watching the whole time!

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B. Hilgard’s Neodissociation B. Hilgard’s Neodissociation TheoryTheory

• These dissociations = evidence of These dissociations = evidence of separate cognitive subsystems separate cognitive subsystems that were operating during the that were operating during the experiment.experiment.

• ““The concept of a totally unified consciousness is The concept of a totally unified consciousness is an attractive one, but does not hold up under an attractive one, but does not hold up under examination.” examination.”

Ernest R. Hilgard (1994) Ernest R. Hilgard (1994)

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A Socio-cognitive take on A Socio-cognitive take on NeodissociationNeodissociation (Criticisms of Hilgard’s approach)(Criticisms of Hilgard’s approach)

• ““Hidden ObserverHidden Observer” – was created by ” – was created by the subject the subject in response to the hypnotic in response to the hypnotic instructions given by the experimenterinstructions given by the experimenter. . (Spanos & Burgess, 1994)(Spanos & Burgess, 1994)

• Self or “identity is constructed, role-Self or “identity is constructed, role-governed, and performed” governed, and performed” (Lynn et al., 1994)(Lynn et al., 1994) as as a “narrative process” in which we come a “narrative process” in which we come to construct our experience as that to construct our experience as that identity as a “believed-in imagining” identity as a “believed-in imagining” (Sarbin, (Sarbin, 1998).1998).

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C. The Socio-cognitive C. The Socio-cognitive ApproachApproach

• Principles of social psychology Principles of social psychology

explain behavior during hypnosis.explain behavior during hypnosis.• Not a single theoryNot a single theory a group of theories. a group of theories.• Examples:Examples:

• Role Theory Role Theory – people naturally adopt the role – people naturally adopt the role behaviors of a hypnotized person.behaviors of a hypnotized person.

• Response Expectancy Theory Response Expectancy Theory – hypnotic – hypnotic suggestions alter expectations for nonvolitional suggestions alter expectations for nonvolitional outcomes outcomes (e.g., pain). (e.g., pain). Such expectations Such expectations then then contribute to the experience of those outcomes contribute to the experience of those outcomes (Kirsch, 1990). (Kirsch, 1990).

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D. A Transpersonal ApproachD. A Transpersonal Approach • Many of humanity’s earliest views of hypnotic Many of humanity’s earliest views of hypnotic

phenomena are described by various religious phenomena are described by various religious & spiritual traditions in the world. & spiritual traditions in the world. (Krippner, 2005). (Krippner, 2005).

• Shamanistic Healing RitualsShamanistic Healing Rituals• Exorcism and DemonologyExorcism and Demonology• Advanced Advanced meditative practices to achieve meditative practices to achieve

Mind/Body unity within mystical aspects of:Mind/Body unity within mystical aspects of:

– ChristianityChristianity– Tibetan BuddhismTibetan Buddhism– Native AmericanNative American– Islamic SufismIslamic Sufism– Jewish KabbalahJewish Kabbalah– Hindu Tantra. Hindu Tantra.

D. A Transpersonal D. A Transpersonal ApproachApproach

An An important diversity important diversity issue since issue since many people around the world many people around the world hold these beliefs.hold these beliefs.

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Class DemonstrationClass Demonstration

• Chevreul PendulumChevreul Pendulum

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IV. Two Key Theoretical IV. Two Key Theoretical Controversies in HypnosisControversies in Hypnosis

A.A. The State ControversyThe State Controversy

B.B. The Trait ControversyThe Trait Controversy

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A. The State Controversy A. The State Controversy

• Do people enter an Do people enter an altered state of altered state of consciousness consciousness during hypnosis ?during hypnosis ?

• Main dispute between the Main dispute between the Neodissociation & Socio-cognitive Neodissociation & Socio-cognitive approaches.approaches.

• Remains a hotly debated issue.Remains a hotly debated issue.

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• Is there a trait that accounts for (+) or (-) Is there a trait that accounts for (+) or (-) people respond to hypnosis ?people respond to hypnosis ?

• Position on Trait Controversy is unrelated to Position on Trait Controversy is unrelated to one’s position on the State Controversy. one’s position on the State Controversy.

They’re NOT opposite poles of a single They’re NOT opposite poles of a single dimension or question. dimension or question.

• Research evidence strongly suggests that Research evidence strongly suggests that there there is a is a trait that explains how much people trait that explains how much people respond to hypnosis.respond to hypnosis.

B. The Trait B. The Trait ControversyControversy

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V. Hypnotic Suggestibility – The V. Hypnotic Suggestibility – The Individual Difference VariableIndividual Difference Variable

• Hypnotic suggestibility is the Hypnotic suggestibility is the

general tendency to respond to general tendency to respond to

hypnotic suggestions.hypnotic suggestions.

• Can be measured with scales Can be measured with scales

typically consisting of a hypnotic typically consisting of a hypnotic

induction + a series of behavioral induction + a series of behavioral

test suggestions.test suggestions.

V. Hypnotic Suggestibility – V. Hypnotic Suggestibility – The Individual Difference The Individual Difference VariableVariable

• The number of test suggestions that an individual The number of test suggestions that an individual

responds to or passes responds to or passes indicates the person’s level of indicates the person’s level of

suggestibility.suggestibility.

• It is a It is a trait-like, individual difference variable trait-like, individual difference variable

• People differ in terms of how high or low they fall on People differ in terms of how high or low they fall on

suggestibility. suggestibility.

• Scores in the population are arrayed in a bell-shaped Scores in the population are arrayed in a bell-shaped

curve.curve.

• Suggestibility tends to be very stable over time Suggestibility tends to be very stable over time – –

researchers found that scores taken 25 years apart were researchers found that scores taken 25 years apart were

correlated at correlated at r = .71r = .71. . (correlations = 0.0 -1.0 )(correlations = 0.0 -1.0 )

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VII. Hypnosis as a Clinical VII. Hypnosis as a Clinical ToolTool

• Used 2 ways as a clinical tool:Used 2 ways as a clinical tool:

A.A. Making Direct Making Direct Suggestions for Suggestions for Symptom Reduction;Symptom Reduction;

B.B. Using hypnosis as an Using hypnosis as an adjunct to other forms of adjunct to other forms of psychotherapy (e.g., psychotherapy (e.g., CBT). CBT).

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A. Making Direct Suggestions A. Making Direct Suggestions for Symptom Reductionfor Symptom Reduction

• Ex. – A hypnotist suggests to a patient undergoing a Ex. – A hypnotist suggests to a patient undergoing a painful medical procedure ;painful medical procedure ;

(e.g., surgery, a lumbar puncture, spinal tap) that (e.g., surgery, a lumbar puncture, spinal tap) that the affected body part (i.e., the back) is numb and the affected body part (i.e., the back) is numb and insensitive to pain.insensitive to pain.

• This is a This is a classic use of hypnosisclassic use of hypnosis..

Gate Theory of PainGate Theory of Pain

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Pain reduction through

hypnosis.

Example: Example: Hypnotic AnalgesiaHypnotic Analgesia

• Hypnosis can Hypnosis can alter and eliminate alter and eliminate the the psychological experience of pain and the psychological experience of pain and the brain’s neurophysiological brain’s neurophysiological processing of painprocessing of pain. .

• Data indicates that the Data indicates that the sensory aspect sensory aspect of pain is diminished at the of pain is diminished at the somatosensory cortex.somatosensory cortex.

• The suffering component of pain is The suffering component of pain is diminished at the diminished at the anterior cingulate anterior cingulate cortexcortex..

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B. Presenting Cognitive-B. Presenting Cognitive-

Behavioral Therapy (CBT) Behavioral Therapy (CBT) ++ HypnosisHypnosis

• Research suggestsResearch suggests: : Combining hypnosis & CBT Combining hypnosis & CBT improves outcomes for improves outcomes for 70% of patients 70% of patients relative relative to using CBT alone! (Kirsch et al., 1995);to using CBT alone! (Kirsch et al., 1995);

• Additionally: Preceding the CBT technique with a Additionally: Preceding the CBT technique with a hypnotic induction, delivered with the unique tone hypnotic induction, delivered with the unique tone and cadence of hypnosis, is successful;and cadence of hypnosis, is successful;

• Ex.:Ex.:• Progressive Muscle Relaxation becomes hypnotic relaxation.Progressive Muscle Relaxation becomes hypnotic relaxation.

• Guided Imagery Guided Imagery hypnotic imagery. hypnotic imagery.

• Systematic Desensitization Systematic Desensitization hypnotic desensitization. hypnotic desensitization.

• Coping self-statements Coping self-statements coping self-suggestions. coping self-suggestions.

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Some Clinical Problems Thought Some Clinical Problems Thought to Be Responsive to Hypnosisto Be Responsive to Hypnosis

• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress DisorderPost Traumatic Stress Disorder and Acute Stress Disorder

• Acute and Chronic PainAcute and Chronic Pain

• PhobiasPhobias

• Performance AnxietyPerformance Anxiety

• DepressionDepression

• Eating DisordersEating Disorders

• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID)

• SmokingSmoking

• ObesityObesity

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ConclusionsConclusions

• Once associated with fringe Once associated with fringe psychology and the supernaturalpsychology and the supernatural hypnosis is hypnosis is now accepted as the now accepted as the valid subject of scientific valid subject of scientific research and as a useful research and as a useful clinical tool.clinical tool.

• Psychologists hold a Psychologists hold a wide variety wide variety of opinions on how to define of opinions on how to define hypnosis and on how hypnosis hypnosis and on how hypnosis worksworks..

ConclusionsConclusions

• Research strongly suggests that Research strongly suggests that hypnotic hypnotic suggestibility is a traitsuggestibility is a trait that accounts for a that accounts for a portion of how much or how little people respond portion of how much or how little people respond to hypnosis. to hypnosis.

• However, research strongly indicates that the However, research strongly indicates that the vast majority of people can benefit from vast majority of people can benefit from hypnosis interventionshypnosis interventions..

• Research indicates that Research indicates that hypnosis is very hypnosis is very effective for treating a wide range of clinical effective for treating a wide range of clinical problems and symptomsproblems and symptoms

(pain, anxiety, depression, obesity, and smoking)(pain, anxiety, depression, obesity, and smoking). .

The End!The End!

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Instructions for Chevreul Instructions for Chevreul Pendulum DemonstrationPendulum Demonstration

1.1. Obtain scissors, string, and ½ inch washers at a hardware store.Obtain scissors, string, and ½ inch washers at a hardware store.2.2. At the beginning of the presentation, distribute these materials to At the beginning of the presentation, distribute these materials to

the class. Have students cut a 6-inch length of string and tie it to the class. Have students cut a 6-inch length of string and tie it to the washer.the washer.

3.3. Explain that you will be doing a demonstration in which students will Explain that you will be doing a demonstration in which students will have an opportunity to experience an imaginative suggestion.have an opportunity to experience an imaginative suggestion.

4.4. Have students place their right elbow on their right thigh and hold Have students place their right elbow on their right thigh and hold the string between their right thumb and index finger so the washer the string between their right thumb and index finger so the washer is suspended beneath.is suspended beneath.

5.5. Have students hold their hand as still as possible.Have students hold their hand as still as possible.6.6. Ask students to imagine that the washer is beginning to move from Ask students to imagine that the washer is beginning to move from

left to right. Continue repeating the suggestion until some washers left to right. Continue repeating the suggestion until some washers begin to move. There will be a range of responses. Some students begin to move. There will be a range of responses. Some students will show no response at all. Others will find that their washer will show no response at all. Others will find that their washer moves quite a bit.moves quite a bit.

7.7. Cancel the suggestion by telling students their hands are back to Cancel the suggestion by telling students their hands are back to normal.normal.

8.8. Ask students what this has to do with what you were just discussing.Ask students what this has to do with what you were just discussing.9.9. This should lead naturally to the next topic – hypnotic suggestibility.This should lead naturally to the next topic – hypnotic suggestibility.