1. An Introduction to Hypnosis Society of Psychological Hypnosis Division 30 – American Psychological Association

2. 2 An Introduction to Hypnosis An Introduction to Hypnosis I.What is Hypnosis ? II.Common Myths about Hypnosis III.Theories of Hypnotic Responding IV.Key Theoretical Controversies in Hypnosis IV.Hypnotic Suggestibility VI.Hypnosis as a Clinical Tool

3. 3 I. What is Hypnosis ? A. Defining Hypnosis B. Components of a Hypnotic Procedure

4. 4 A. Defining Hypnosis Hypnosis is a procedure involving cognitive processes (like imagination) in which a subject is guided by a hypnotist to respond to suggestions for changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Hypnosis is a procedure involving cognitive processes (like imagination) in which a subject is guided by a hypnotist to respond to suggestions for changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Sometimes, people are trained in self-hypnosis, in which they learn to guide themselves through a hypnotic procedure. Sometimes, people are trained in self-hypnosis, in which they learn to guide themselves through a hypnotic procedure. Psychologists hold a wide variety of opinions on how to define hypnosis and on how hypnosis works. Psychologists hold a wide variety of opinions on how to define hypnosis and on how hypnosis works.

5. 5 B. Two Components of a Hypnotic Procedure It is useful to think of a hypnotic procedure as consisting of two phases or components: It is useful to think of a hypnotic procedure as consisting of two phases or components: Hypnotic InductionHypnotic Induction Hypnotic SuggestionsHypnotic Suggestions

6. 6 What is a Hypnotic Induction ? An introduction to hypnosis in which the subject is guided through suggestion to relax, concentrate, and/or to focus his or her attention on some particular thing. An introduction to hypnosis in which the subject is guided through suggestion to relax, concentrate, and/or to focus his or her attention on some particular thing. Some hypnotists believe the purpose of the induction is to induce an altered state of consciousness. Some hypnotists believe the purpose of the induction is to induce an altered state of consciousness. Other hypnotists believe the induction is a social cue that prompts the subject to engage in hypnotic behaviors. Other hypnotists believe the induction is a social cue that prompts the subject to engage in hypnotic behaviors.

7. 7 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 be able to do some particular thing and then is asked to perform the prohibited behavior.Challenge Suggestions – subject is told he or she will not be able to do some particular thing and then is asked to perform the prohibited behavior. Cognitive Suggestions – experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts or feelings.Cognitive Suggestions – experience changes in sensations, perceptions, thoughts or feelings.

8. 8 II. Common Myths about Hypnosis People in hypnosis lose control and can be made to say or do whatever the hypnotist wants. People may not be able to come out of hypnosis. Hypnosis only affects weak-willed or gullible people. Hypnosis reliably enhances the accuracy of memory. Hypnosis enables people to re-experience a past life. Hypnosis depends primarily on the skill of the hypnotist. NONE OF THESE ARE TRUE

9. 9 D. A Transpersonal Approach Many of humanitys earliest views of hypnotic phenomena are described by various religious and spiritual traditions in the world. (Krippner, 2005).Many of humanitys earliest views of hypnotic phenomena are described by various religious and spiritual traditions in the world. (Krippner, 2005). Shamanistic Healing RitualsShamanistic Healing Rituals Exorcism and DemonologyExorcism and Demonology Advanced meditative practices to achieve Mind/Body Unity within Mystical Christianity, Tibetan Buddhism, Native American, Islamic Sufism, Jewish Kabbalah, and Hindu Tantra.Advanced meditative practices to achieve Mind/Body Unity within Mystical Christianity, Tibetan Buddhism, Native American, Islamic Sufism, Jewish Kabbalah, and Hindu Tantra. This is an important diversity issue since many people around the world hold these beliefs.This is an important diversity issue since many people around the world hold these beliefs.

10. 10 V. Hypnotic Suggestibility – The Individual Difference Variable Hypnotic suggestibility is the general tendency to respond to hypnotic suggestions. Hypnotic suggestibility is the general tendency to respond to hypnotic suggestions. It can be measured with scales typically consisting of a hypnotic induction and a series of behavioral test suggestions. It can be measured with scales typically consisting of a hypnotic induction and a series of behavioral test suggestions. The number of test suggestions that an individual responds to or passes indicates the persons level of suggestibility. The number of test suggestions that an individual responds to or passes indicates the persons level of suggestibility. It is a trait-like, individual difference variable – people differ in terms of how high or low they fall on suggestibility. Scores in the population are arrayed in a bell-shaped curve. It is a trait-like, individual difference variable – people differ in terms of how high or low they fall on suggestibility. Scores in the population are arrayed in a bell-shaped curve. Suggestibility tends to be very stable over time – some researchers found that scores taken 25 years apart were correlated at r =.71. Suggestibility tends to be very stable over time – some researchers found that scores taken 25 years apart were correlated at r =.71.

11. 11 VII. Hypnosis as a Clinical Tool Hypnosis is generally used in two ways as a clinical tool:Hypnosis is generally used in two ways as a clinical tool: A.Making Direct Suggestions for Symptom Reduction B.Using hypnosis as an adjunct to other forms of psychotherapy (e.g., CBT).

12. 12 A. Making Direct Suggestions for Symptom Reduction Example – A hypnotist suggests to a patient undergoing a painful medical procedure (e.g., surgery, a lumbar puncture, spinal tap) that the affected body part (i.e., the back) is numb and insensitive to pain.Example – A hypnotist suggests to a patient undergoing a painful medical procedure (e.g., surgery, a lumbar puncture, spinal tap) that the affected body part (i.e., the back) is numb and insensitive to pain. This is a classic use of hypnosis. This is a classic use of hypnosis.

13. Example: Hypnotic Analgesia Hypnosis can alter and eliminate the psychological experience of pain and also the brains neurophysiological processing of pain. Hypnosis can alter and eliminate the psychological experience of pain and also the brains neurophysiological processing of pain. Data indicates that the sensory aspect of pain is diminished at the somatosensory cortex. Data indicates that the sensory aspect of pain is diminished at the somatosensory cortex. The meaning or suffering component of pain is diminished at the anterior cingulate cortex. The meaning or suffering component of pain is diminished at the anterior cingulate cortex. 13

14. 14 B. Presenting Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy plus Hypnosis Research suggests that using a combination of hypnosis and CBT improves outcomes for about 70% of patients relative to using CBT alone (Kirsch et al., 1995). Research suggests that using a combination of hypnosis and CBT improves outcomes for about 70% of patients relative to using CBT alone (Kirsch et al., 1995). Additionally, standard CBT techniques can be presented in a hypnotic context by preceding the CBT technique with a hypnotic induction, delivered with the unique tone and cadence of hypnosis, and described as being hypnotic in nature. Additionally, standard CBT techniques can be presented in a hypnotic context by preceding the CBT technique with a hypnotic induction, delivered with the unique tone and cadence of 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.

15. 15 Some Clinical Problems 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

16. 16 Conclusion Once associated with fringe psychology and the supernatural, hypnosis is now accepted as the valid subject of scientific research and as a useful clinical tool. Once associated with fringe psychology and the supernatural, hypnosis is now accepted as the valid subject of scientific research and as a useful clinical tool. Psychologists hold a wide variety of opinions on how to define hypnosis and on how hypnosis works. Psychologists hold a wide variety of opinions on how to define hypnosis and on how hypnosis works. Research strongly suggests that hypnotic suggestibility is a trait that accounts for a portion of how much or how little people respond to hypnosis. However, research strongly indicates that the vast majority of people can benefit from hypnosis interventions. Research strongly suggests that hypnotic suggestibility is a trait that accounts for a portion of how much or how little people respond to hypnosis. However, research strongly indicates that the vast majority of people can benefit from hypnosis interventions. Research indicates that hypnosis is very effective for treating a wide range of clinical problems and symptoms, including pain, anxiety, depression, obesity, and smoking. Research indicates that hypnosis is very effective for treating a wide range of clinical problems and symptoms, including pain, anxiety, depression, obesity, and smoking.