Module 18

1
Module 18

• Hypnosis

2
Hypnosis

• A social interaction in which one person suggests
  to another that certain perceptions, feelings,
  thoughts or behaviors will spontaneously occur.
• Posthypnotic Amnesia temporary memory loss due
  to hypnotic suggestion. May not be true amnesia.
• Hypnotized people do not have fantastic abilities.

3
Facts and Falsehoods

• The power of hypnosis lies in the subjects
  suggestibility.
• Nearly everyone is suggestible (postural sway).
• The most suggestible are those most easily
  hypnotized and have rich fantasy lives.
• Anyone will experience hypnotic responsiveness if
  led to expect it (eg, heavy eyelids).

4
Hypnosis,Recall, and Will

• Research does not support the idea that hypnosis
  helps us recall past events.
• Findings of age regression (subject relives
  experience from childhood) do not support
  improved recall.
• Hypnotically refreshed subjects often make errors
  on the witness stand.
• Hypnosis often contaminates memory with false
  recollections.

5

• Highly hypnotizable people are vulnerable to
  memory suggestions. Eg, UFO abductees.
• Orne and Evans (1965) found that people under
  hypnosis will carry out dangerous acts.
• Authoritative people can induce unhypnotized
  people often perform the same acts.
• Posthypnotic suggestions Suggestions made during
  hypnosis to be carried out when no longer
  hypnotized.
• Posthypnotic suggestions may feel compulsive and
  less effortful.

6
Therapy and Alleviation of Pain

• Hypnosis can be used to harness healing powers
  (headaches, asthma, skin disorders, etc.).
• However, positive suggestions without hypnosis is
  just as effective.
• Hypnosis does not seem to benefit problems of
  self-control.
• Hypnosis may alleviate pain as half of us gain
  pain relief from hypnosis.

7

• Dissociation a split in consciousness which
  allows thought and behaviors to occur
  simultaneously.
• Hypnosis dissociates the sensation of pain from
  emotional suffering.
• Pain relief may be due to selective attention
  (eg. athletic injuries).
• Under hypnosis, pain is experienced on some
  level. Hypnosis does not block sensory input.

8
Social Influence Theory

• Most behaviors induced by hypnosis can be
  produced without it.
• People dont fake hypnosis, they just do whats
  expected of them.
• When told hypnosis reflects gullibility, subjects
  are unresponsive.
• Hypnosis is just an extension everyday behavior.
  People play the role of hypnotic subjects.

9
Divided Consciousness Theory

• More than imaginative acting. Sometimes subjects
  carry out behaviors on cue when alone.
• Hypnosis involves dissociated consciousness.
• There is a separation of some aspect behavior
  from conscious control (eg. Posthypnotic amnesia
  and pain relief).
• They possess a hidden observer who is aware of
  whats going on.

10

• Both theories can be combined. Hypnosis is a
  combination of social influence and dissociation
  of conscious awareness and behavior.