An Introduction to HypnosisAn Introduction to Hypnosis

Society of Psychological Hypnosis Society of Psychological Hypnosis

Division 30 – American Psychological Division 30 – American Psychological AssociationAssociation

2

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

3

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

A. Defining Hypnosis A. Defining Hypnosis

B. Components of a Hypnotic B. Components of a Hypnotic

ProcedureProcedure

4

A. Defining Hypnosis A. Defining Hypnosis

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

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

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

changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts,

feelings, and behaviors.feelings, and behaviors.

• Sometimes, people are trained in self-hypnosis, in Sometimes, people are trained in self-hypnosis, in

which they learn to guide themselves through a which they learn to guide themselves through a

hypnotic procedure.hypnotic procedure.

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

to define hypnosis and on how hypnosis works.to define hypnosis and on how hypnosis works.

5

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

6

What is a Hypnotic Induction ? What is a Hypnotic Induction ?

• An introduction to hypnosis in which the subject is An introduction to hypnosis in which the subject is

guided through suggestion to relax, concentrate, guided through suggestion to relax, concentrate,

and/or to focus his or her attention on some particular and/or to focus his or her attention on some particular

thing.thing.

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

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

• Other hypnotists believe the induction is a social cue Other hypnotists believe the induction is a social cue

that prompts the subject to engage in hypnotic that prompts the subject to engage in hypnotic

behaviors. behaviors.

7

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

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

• Types of Hypnotic Suggestions:Types of Hypnotic Suggestions:

• Ideomotor Suggestions – experience a motor movement.Ideomotor Suggestions – experience a motor movement.

• Challenge Suggestions – subject is told he or she will not Challenge Suggestions – subject is told he or she will not

be able to do some particular thing and then is asked to be able to do some particular thing and then is asked to

perform the prohibited behavior.perform the prohibited behavior.

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

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

8

II. Common Myths about II. Common Myths about HypnosisHypnosis

• People in hypnosis lose control and can be made to say People in hypnosis lose control and can be made to say

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

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

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

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

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

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

• NONE OF THESE ARE TRUENONE OF THESE ARE TRUE

9

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

10

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

• Freud initially utilized hypnosis to help remove psychosomatic Freud initially utilized hypnosis to help remove psychosomatic symptoms from patients who suffered from what we would now symptoms from patients who suffered from what we would now call a somatoform disorder. These patients suffered from call a somatoform disorder. These patients suffered from medical complaints like seizures, muscular spasms, and medical complaints like seizures, muscular spasms, and paralysis of their limbs that was transient and/or was not thought paralysis of their limbs that was transient and/or was not thought to be the entirely the result of a general medical condition.to be the entirely the result of a general medical condition.

• Freud learned that he could temporarily or permanently reduce Freud learned that he could temporarily or permanently reduce many of these symptoms using direct hypnotic suggestions for many of these symptoms using direct hypnotic suggestions for the symptoms to be reversed. (e.g.,: “Your arm is calm again the symptoms to be reversed. (e.g.,: “Your arm is calm again and will no longer spasm.”) and will no longer spasm.”)

• Freud also believed that Hypnosis allowed him access to Freud also believed that Hypnosis allowed him access to memories within the patient’s unconscious mind which had been memories within the patient’s unconscious mind which had been previously repressed.previously repressed.

• Eventually, Freud began using free association instead of Eventually, Freud began using free association instead of hypnosis as a way of accessing the unconscious. hypnosis as a way of accessing the unconscious.

11

B. The Neodissociation B. The Neodissociation ApproachApproach

• A more recent psychoanalytically-oriented theory.A more recent psychoanalytically-oriented theory.• Developed by Ernest Hilgard.Developed by Ernest Hilgard.• Under hypnosis, part of the mind enters an altered Under hypnosis, part of the mind enters an altered

state of consciousness.state of consciousness.• A second dissociated part of the mind, later A second dissociated part of the mind, later

designated as the “Hidden Observer”, remains designated as the “Hidden Observer”, remains aware of what is going on during a hypnotic session.aware of what is going on during a hypnotic session.

• The part of the mind in an altered state of The part of the mind in an altered state of consciousness is very open to hypnotic suggestions.consciousness is very open to hypnotic suggestions.

12

B. NeodissociationB. Neodissociation

• The Hidden Observer ExperimentsThe Hidden Observer Experiments• Discovered in highly hypnotizable Discovered in highly hypnotizable

subjects during dissociative tasks subjects during dissociative tasks such as hypnotic deafness and such as hypnotic deafness and hypnotic pain analgesia. hypnotic pain analgesia.

• If queried, some subjects could If queried, some subjects could nevertheless give realistic accounts of nevertheless give realistic accounts of the dissociated experience as if a the dissociated experience as if a hidden observer was present within hidden observer was present within the person.the person.

13

B. NeodissociationB. Neodissociation

• Hilgard’s Neodissociation theoryHilgard’s Neodissociation theory• These dissociations were evidence of These dissociations were evidence of

separate cognitive subsystems that were separate cognitive subsystems that were operating during the experiment.operating during the experiment.

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

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

14

A Sociocognitive take on A Sociocognitive take on NeodissociationNeodissociation

• The hidden observer is created and enacted The hidden observer is created and enacted by the subject in response to the hypnotic by the subject in response to the hypnotic instructions given by the experimenter. instructions given by the experimenter. (Spanos & Burgess, 1994)(Spanos & Burgess, 1994)

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

15

C. The Sociocognitive ApproachC. The Sociocognitive Approach

• Contends that the principles of social psychology Contends that the principles of social psychology explain behavior during hypnosis.explain behavior during hypnosis.

• Not a single theory, but a group of theories.Not a single theory, but a group of theories.• Examples:Examples:

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

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

16

D. A Transpersonal ApproachD. A Transpersonal Approach

• Many of humanity’s earliest views of Many of humanity’s earliest views of hypnotic phenomena are described hypnotic phenomena are described by various religious and spiritual by various religious and spiritual traditions in the world. (Krippner, traditions in the world. (Krippner, 2005). 2005). • Shamanistic Healing RitualsShamanistic Healing Rituals• Exorcism and DemonologyExorcism and Demonology• Advanced meditative practices to Advanced meditative practices to

achieve Mind/Body Unity within achieve Mind/Body Unity within Mystical Christianity, Tibetan Mystical Christianity, Tibetan Buddhism, Native American, Buddhism, Native American, Islamic Sufism, Jewish Kabbalah, Islamic Sufism, Jewish Kabbalah, and Hindu Tantra. and Hindu Tantra.

• This is an important diversity issue This is an important diversity issue since many people around the world since many people around the world hold these beliefs.hold these beliefs.

17

Class DemonstrationClass Demonstration

• Chevreul PendulumChevreul Pendulum

18

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

19

A. The State Controversy A. The State Controversy

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

• The essence of the dispute The essence of the dispute between the Neodissociation and between the Neodissociation and Sociocognitive approaches.Sociocognitive approaches.

• This remains a hotly debated This remains a hotly debated issue.issue.

20

B. The Trait ControversyB. The Trait Controversy

• Is there a trait that accounts for how much Is there a trait that accounts for how much or how little people respond to hypnosis ?or how little people respond to hypnosis ?

• One’s position on the Trait Controversy is One’s position on the Trait Controversy is unrelated to one’s position on the State unrelated to one’s position on the State Controversy. They are NOT opposite poles Controversy. They are NOT opposite poles of a single dimension or question. of a single dimension or question.

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

21

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

VariableVariable

• Hypnotic suggestibility is the general tendency to respond to Hypnotic suggestibility is the general tendency to respond to

hypnotic suggestions.hypnotic suggestions.

• It can be measured with scales typically consisting of a It can be measured with scales typically consisting of a

hypnotic induction and a series of behavioral test suggestions.hypnotic induction and a series of behavioral test suggestions.

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

or passes indicates the person’s level of suggestibility.or passes indicates the person’s level of suggestibility.

• It is a trait-like, individual difference variable – people differ in It is a trait-like, individual difference variable – people differ in

terms of how high or low they fall on suggestibility. Scores in terms of how high or low they fall on suggestibility. Scores in

the population are arrayed in a bell-shaped curve.the population are arrayed in a bell-shaped curve.

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

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

correlated at r = .71.correlated at r = .71.

22

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

• Hypnosis is generally used in two Hypnosis is generally used in two ways as a clinical tool:ways as a clinical tool:

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

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

23

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

• Example – A hypnotist suggests to a Example – A hypnotist suggests to a patient undergoing a painful medical patient undergoing a painful medical procedure (e.g., surgery, a lumbar procedure (e.g., surgery, a lumbar puncture, spinal tap) that the affected puncture, spinal tap) that the affected body part (i.e., the back) is numb and body part (i.e., the back) is numb and insensitive to pain.insensitive to pain.

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

Example: Hypnotic AnalgesiaExample: Hypnotic Analgesia

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

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

• The meaning or suffering component of The meaning or suffering component of pain is diminished at the anterior pain is diminished at the anterior cingulate cortex.cingulate cortex.

25

B. Presenting Cognitive-B. Presenting Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy plus Behavioral Therapy plus

HypnosisHypnosis

• Research suggests that using a combination of hypnosis and CBT Research suggests that using a combination of hypnosis and CBT improves outcomes for about 70% of patients relative to using improves outcomes for about 70% of patients relative to using CBT alone (Kirsch et al., 1995).CBT alone (Kirsch et al., 1995).

• Additionally, standard CBT techniques can be presented in a Additionally, standard CBT techniques can be presented in a hypnotic context by preceding the CBT technique with a hypnotic hypnotic context by preceding the CBT technique with a hypnotic induction, delivered with the unique tone and cadence of induction, delivered with the unique tone and cadence of hypnosis, and described as being hypnotic in nature.hypnosis, and described as being hypnotic in nature.

• Examples:Examples:

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

• Guided Imagery becomes hypnotic imagery.Guided Imagery becomes hypnotic imagery.

• Systematic Desensitization becomes hypnotic desensitization.Systematic Desensitization becomes hypnotic desensitization.

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

26

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

• Acute and Chronic PainAcute and Chronic Pain

• PhobiasPhobias

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

• Performance AnxietyPerformance Anxiety

• DepressionDepression

• Eating DisordersEating Disorders

• Dissociative Identity DisorderDissociative Identity Disorder

• SmokingSmoking

• ObesityObesity

27

ConclusionConclusion

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

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

• Research strongly suggests that hypnotic Research strongly suggests that hypnotic suggestibility is a trait that accounts for a portion of suggestibility is a trait that accounts for a portion of how much or how little people respond to hypnosis. how much or how little people respond to hypnosis. However, research strongly indicates that the vast However, research strongly indicates that the vast majority of people can benefit from hypnosis majority of people can benefit from hypnosis interventions.interventions.

• Research indicates that hypnosis is very effective for Research indicates that hypnosis is very effective for treating a wide range of clinical problems and treating a wide range of clinical problems and symptoms, including pain, anxiety, depression, symptoms, including pain, anxiety, depression, obesity, and smoking. obesity, and smoking.

28

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 Explain that you will be doing a demonstration in which students will have an opportunity to experience an imaginative suggestion.will 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 the string between their right thumb and index finger so the washer is suspended beneath.washer 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 Ask students to imagine that the washer is beginning to move

from left to right. Continue repeating the suggestion until some from left to right. Continue repeating the suggestion until some washers begin to move. There will be a range of responses. Some washers begin to move. There will be a range of responses. Some students will show no response at all. Others will find that their students will show no response at all. Others will find that their washer moves quite a bit.washer 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 Ask students what this has to do with what you were just discussing.discussing.

9.9. This should lead naturally to the next topic – hypnotic This should lead naturally to the next topic – hypnotic suggestibility.suggestibility.