Myth #10: HYPNOSIS IS A UNIQUE "TRANCE" STATE

THAT DIFFERS IN KIND FROM WAKEFULNESS

States of Consciousness

1. Hypnosis is NOT:

a) Mysterious and creepyb) A mystical or supernatural forcec) Giving up your control over your own actionsd) Being dominated by the power of the hypnotiste) Being put to sleep or sleepwalkingf) Brainwashingg) Very difficulth) A means of giving your abilities that you didn’t

already possess

2. Hypnosis IS:

a) A natural state of mind that is different from your normal waking state and different from being asleep

b) Giving the hypnotist your cooperationc) A state of deep relaxation in which you are highly

suggestibled) An avenue to plant suggestions into your mind in a

powerful waye) Possible (and easy) to do yourself to harness its

power for improved performancef) A means of unlocking abilities that you have always

had

Defined: A state of heightened suggestibility

4. Have you been hypnotized?

3. Hypnosis

Concentrate…

7. How suggestible are you?

Creative Imagination Scale

Want to be Believe it can help Fantasy-prone personality

8. Who is More Likely to be Hypnotized?

40% low 30% medium 30% high

Want to be Believe it can help Fantasy-prone personality

Can You Be Hypnotized?

Establish relationship

FIXATION: Concentrate on an object or voice

RELAXATION: Deep state (techniques to induce)

REPETITIVE SUGGESTION: Suggest behaviors that are occurring

(heavy eyes, feeling “sleepy”)

How Do You hypnotize?

NO!

Can You Be Hypnotized Against Your Will?

Altered state of consciousness

Ernst Hilgard

Divided (Dissociated) consciousness

#1: Hypnotized part (carries out instructions) #2: “Hidden Observer” Discovering Psychology: The Mind Hidden & Divided (begin 11:52) http://www.learner.org/resources/series138.html?pop=yes&pid=1511

Theories: Trance Theory

Ice bath experiments

#1: Hypnotized part: Feels no pain Report pain as ‘1’ on scale of 1 - 10

#2: Hidden observer Pushes the button (reports feeling pain)

Evidence?

Authoritative person in a legitimate context

Motivated by social pressure to perform: role playing

“I want to be a ‘good subject.’” “I don’t want to embarrass myself.”

They are awake (not a special “trance”)

Social Influence Theory

Can resist hypnotic suggestions

Just as responsive to suggestions as when wide awake & exercising on an exercise bike as when hypnotized.

Can produce all phenomena associated with hypnosis (hallucinations & insensitivity to pain) with no hypnosis

12. What do YOU think?

Evidence?

Imagined perception – fixation/feel or believe something You feel no pain

Post-hypnotic suggestion You will no longer feel pain after this session

Post-hypnotic amnesia You won’t remember what happened during hypnosis No evidence to support

Pain control Dental/anesthesia Same results with exercise/meditation

Age regression Used to retrieve memories from the past No clear evidence to support accuracy of these memories Not admissible in court

What Do People Do “Under” Hypnosis?

One Case1969 crime, George Franklin convicted of murdering Susan Nason based on “eyewitness testimony” of daughter Eileen Franklin; sentenced to life (1990)

Exonerated 1996http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QtEZYJRq7s

Hypnotherapy: Repressed Memory

Entertainment

Treating pain, medical conditions, depression, anxiety, obesity (in conjunction with other therapy)

Primary benefit is relaxation!

Applications

Similar to self-hypnosis Mind has power over the body Use that power to produce a relaxation

response ACTIVE thinking

YOU actively REPEAT certain thoughts in your mind.

Relaxation: Autogenic Training

FOCUS on each sensation Repeat them IMAGINE them occurring in your body YOUR BODY makes them real

Autogenic training

Heaviness in limbs Warmth in limbs Slower heart beat Slower and deeper rhythm of breathing AND Coolness on forehead

Physical sensations association with relaxation response