DO NOW:

What are the theories on why we dream?

Objective:SWBAT define hypnosis, and note some similarities between the behavior of hypnotized people and that of motivated unhypnotized people.

Hypnosis

a social interaction in which one person suggests to another that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur.

It is an altered state of consciousness.

Despite exciting claims, researchers agree that people under hypnosis do not have increased strength, stamina, or learning or perceptual abilities.

Essentially, unhypnotized people can do things that hypnotized people can as well.

Objective: SWBAT discuss the characteristics of people who are susceptible to hypnosis, and evaluate claims that hypnosis can influence people’s memory, will, health, and perception of pain.

Can Anyone Experience Hypnosis?

To some extent, nearly everyone is suggestible, but does this mean that everyone can be hypnotized?

People who are easily hypnotized tend to become easily absorbed in their imagination.

Can Anyone Experience Hypnosis?

Hypnotic ability: the ability to focus attention totally on a task to become imaginatively absorbed in it, to entertain fanciful possibilities.

Actually, anyone who can turn attention inward and imagine is able to experience some degree of hypnosis.

Virtually anyone will experience hypnotic responsiveness if led to expect it.

Can Hypnosis Enhance Recall of Forgotten

Events? Research has shown that we cannot simply

recall any memory from our lives through hypnosis.

We do not simply have all of our memories stored in our head.

Can Hypnosis Enhance Recall of Forgotten

Events? Age regression: the supposed ability to

relive childhood experiences. Age regressed people act the way they

believe children would, but they generally act older than they are supposed to be.

Hypnotically refreshed memories tend to blend fact with fiction. Hypnotists hints can plant ideas that

become a pseudomemory.

Can Hypnosis Force People to Act Against

Their Will? Posthypnotic suggestions: a suggestion,

made during a hypnosis session, to be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized. used by some clinicians to help control

undesired symptoms and behaviors. It has been successfully used to alleviate

physical ailments, like headaches, asthma, and stress-related skin disorders in some people.

Can Hypnosis Force People to Act Against

Their Will? Hypnosis seems to be a helpful therapy

supplement, with those who’s treatment includes hypnosis having more improvement that 70% of other therapy patients.

It is best for the treatment of obesity.

It tends to have little effect on drug, alcohol and smoking addictions.

Can Hypnosis Alleviate Pain?

Yes.

Researchers found that when hypnotized and unhypnotized people stuck their arms into an ice bath, unhypnotized people would feel pain within 25 seconds. Hypnotized people report feeling little

pain.

Can Hypnosis Alleviate Pain?

dissociation: a split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others. Hypnosis dissociates the sensation of the

pain stimulus from the emotional suffering that defines our experience of pain.

Hypnotic pain relief may come from selective attention (what’s that again?).

Hypnosis does not block sensory input, but it may block our attention to those stimuli.

Objective: SWBAT give arguments for and against hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness.

Is Hypnosis an Altered State of Consciousness?

There are two different perspectives on hypnosis.

Social Phenomenon

One opinion: hypnosis may reflect the workings of normal consciousness and the power of social influence.

People who respond to hypnosis are not faking in; they just begin to feel and behave in ways appropriate to the role of a hypnotic subject.

Social Phenomenon

The more they like and trust the hypnotist and feel motivated to demonstrate hypnotic behavior, the more they allow that person to direct their attention and fantasies.

Social influence theory: hypnotic phenomena are not unique to hypnosis; they are an extension of everyday social behavior. They are more like actors who are caught

up in their “role” as a hypnotic subject.

Divided Consciousness

Hypnosis is a special state of dissociated consciousness.

Certain phenomena are specific to hypnosis.

Hypnotized subjects will sometimes carry out suggested behaviors even when they believe no one is watching.

Much of our behavior occurs on autopilot, but does that mean that hypnosis enhances this ability to allow us to fully divide our attention?

Biopsychosocial Approach

Biological influences: distinctive brain activity nonconscious information processing.

Biopsychosocial Approach

Psychological influences: focused attention expectations heightened suggestibility dissociation between normal sensations

and conscious awareness

Biopsychosocial Approach

Social-cultural influences: presence of an authoritative person in

legitimate context. role-playing “good subject”