Riddle of Hypnosis

Objectives- The Student will

• define hypnosis• Formulate a list (number sequence- student

skill) of the nature of hypnosis • Be able to trace steps to hypnotize someone• Compare and Contrast two theories of

Hypnosis (Venn Diagram)

Base definition

• Hypnosis- Procedure in which a practitioner suggests changes in the sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings or behavior of the subject

• Hypnotized person, in turn, tries to alter his/her cognitive process in accordance with the hypnotists suggestions

Hypnosis

A procedure in which the practitioner suggests changes in the sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, or behavior of the subject

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What can Hypnosis do?

• Performance of an action; F.E. your arm will slowly rise

• Inability to perform an action; F.E. You will be unable to bend your arm

• Or distortion of normal perception or memory; F.E. you will feel no pain or you will be hypnotized at this signal

Procedure of Hypnosis

• Usually hypnotist gets person relaxed, sleepy, eyelids heavy

• Singsong or monotonous voice• Concentrate on small object or body function

(concentrate on breathing)• Good movie or music

The nature of hypnosis

Hypnotic responsiveness depends more on the person being hypnotized than on the skill of the hypnotist.

Hypnotized people can’t be forced to do things against their will.

Feats performed under hypnosis can be performed by motivated people without hypnosis.

Hypnosis does not increase the accuracy of memory.

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Nature of hypnosis (6 items)ROLE THEORY OF Hypnosis

1. Hypnotic responsiveness depends more on the efforts and qualities of the person being hypnotized than on the skill of the hypnotist

• Some people are more responsive than others (everyone's different)

• Richer fantasy lives, follow directions well, focus on 1 task for long time

• Unrelated to personality traits, gullibility, trust, conformity, submissiveness

N.O.H. Cont…

2. Hypnotized people cannot be forced to do things against their will

• Like drunkenness, hypnosis can be used to justify letting go of inhibitions

• HOWEVER the individual is choosing to turn over responsibility to the Hypnotist and to Cooperate

• There is no empirical evidence (proof) Hypnotist can make subject go against their morals or that constitutes a real threat

N.O.H. Cont…

3. Feats performed under hypnosis can be performed by motivated people without hypnosis

• Look like unbelievable physical feats, extrodanory mental capabilities

• But with proper support, motivation, encouragement could do it.

N.O.H. cont

4. Hypnosis does not increase the accuracy of memory

• Rare cases can jog memory of crime victims• Increases errors of eyewitnesses• Hypnosis makes more likely to guess

N.O.H. cont…

5. Hypnosis does not produce a literal reexperiencing of long ago events

• When regressed to an earlier age (F.E. “act like a baby”,) mental and moral performance remains adult like

• Brain wave patterns do not become childlike• May use baby talk or report feeling like 4 yrs

old, but only because you are willing participant to feel that way

The nature of hypnosis

Hypnosis doesn’t produce a literal re-experiencing of long-past events.

Hypnotic suggestions have been used effectively for medical and psychological purposes.

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N.O.H. endState theory of Hypnosis

6. Hypnotic suggestions have been used effectively for many medical and psychological purposes

• Greatest success in pain management• Cope with chronic pain• Stress, anxiety, obesity, asthma, irritable

bowel syndrome, chemotherapy induced vomiting, skin disorders

Theories of Hypnosis (2)

• 1st Dissociation Theories• Earnest Hilgard (1977,1986)• Like lucid dreams, involves split consciousness• Dissociation- A split in consciousness, in which

one part of the mind operates independently of others

• According to Hilgard, most of the mind subject to hypnotic suggestion, one part is hidden observer, watching but not participating

Theories of hypnosisDissociation theories1. Hypnosis is a split

in consciousness in which one part of the mind operates independently of consciousness

2. During hypnosis, dissociation occurs between an executive control system (probably in the frontal lobes) and other systems of thinking and acting.

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Dissociation cont…

• Unless given special instructions, hypnotized part remains unaware of the observer

• Hilgard EVEDENCE= Research put volunteer’s arm in ice cold water, told feel no pain

• But non submerged hand would be able to signal pain

• People said they felt no pain but other hand was pressing pain key

Disassociation cont….

• Disassociation between parts of the brain• Executive (frontal lobes) separates from

thinking and acting parts• Similar to subjects who have frontal lobe

damage• As a result more susceptible to suggestion

Sociocognitive Approach

• Sociocognitive explanation- the effects of hypnosis result from the interaction between the social influence of the hypnotist (socio) and the abilities, beliefs and expectations (cognitive=learned)

• Hypnotized person plays a role• Even the hidden observer is a reaction to

social demands

Theories of hypnosis

Sociocognitive theoriesEffects of hypnosis result from interaction between social influence of the hypnotist and the beliefs and expectations of the subject.

Can explain “alien abduction” and “past-life regression”

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Sociocognitive cont…

• Spirit possession or alien abduction• If a therapist believes in Spirit possession or alien

abduction may consciously or unconsciously shape clients study

• Past life regression- F.E. Julius Cesar• 1/3 of students report being able to do so,

however when asked specific questions, country at war, language, currency= Could not answer

• Your beliefs and the beliefs of other

Summary

• Nature of Hypnosis• Two theories