1. C. Alexander Simpkins PhD Annellen M. Simpkins PhD
Hypnosis
C. Alexander Simpkins PhD
Annellen M. Simpkins PhD

2. What is Hypnosis?
People have been asking this question since the time of the Greeks
The only thing everyone agrees on is that one definition of hypnosis has not been agreed on
The phenomena of hypnosis are subject to many variables that influence how they are responded to and expressed.
But thanks to more methods of examining hypnosis, including imaging the brain, we are learning more all the time!

3. Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) Viennese physician
Vital energy like magnetism that could be made to act on the human body.
It could be influenced by the practitioner to bring about cures of disease, both mental and physical
He came into conflict with the medical establishment because of his claims.
Today we are revisiting magnetism without mysticism through treatment of conditions by magnetism
This slowed the initial progress of experimentation

5. James Braid ( )
One of earliest researchers who altered the course that Mesmer had initiated
Medical doctor who gave hypnosis the name
He believed Mesmer had made errors in how he conducted his experiments with patients
Used careful observation of individual subjects to demystify hypnosis and categorize its effects
For example, experiment with sharpening senses
Hypnotized person, blindfolded, could locate someone in crowd with sense of smell
Developed the theory of hypnosis as focused attention, still an important view

6. Jean Martin Charcot (1835-1893)
Some consider him the founder of neurology as distinct discipline
Created the Salpetriere School of Hypnosis
Scientific approach
Used narrow subject pool: female patients with hysterical symptoms
Defined hypnosis as hysteria
But did reveal a link between mental states and exhibited symptoms
Also gained acceptance by scientific community
Freud studied with Charcot and translated his writings

7. Charcot Examining a Brain

8. The Nancy School Liebeault (1823-1904) Bernheim (1840-1919)
Provided free medical hypnosis to thousands of people suffering from physical and mental conditions
Bernheim ( )
Studied with Liebeault and developed the view that hypnosis is suggestion
Suggestion is influence exerted by a suggested idea on the mind i.e. the ability to respond to an idea
Freud studied with Liebeault and Bernheim and translated Bernheim’s book, Hypnosis and Suggestion in Psychotherapy

9. Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936) Russian physiologist
Studied hypnosis extensively
Believed in the power of the word as a signal to bring about a response
Hypnosis became foundational in Russian psychology
He did careful neurological measurements
Defined hypnosis as scattered sleep: excitation and inhibition

10. First International Statistics of Susceptbility
Largest hypnosis study performed in 1892
8705 subjects
15 countries
Each kept track of success in inductions
Measuring many aspects of susceptibility

11. 1892 Study Findings
Susceptibility Findings: 75% susceptible
25% Deep, 50%Moderate 25% Mildly
No differences among different races or countries
No sex differences
Children more susceptible
More intelligent more susceptible
More imaginative more susceptible
This research dispelled myth that hypnosis is for the weak-minded
By 1888 there were more than 1172 books written on hypnosis and hundreds of studies

12. Other Important Labs Clark Hull (1884-1952) Lab at Yale
Research applied John Stuart Mill’s method of difference comparing hypnotized and non-hypnotized
Tested hypnotic phenomena
Used normal subjects
Adapted the technology of his day inventively for experiments
Measuring postural sway from suggestion with a simple sensor connected to the shoulder that reacted to movement and record it on paper

13. Stanford Lab Ernest Hilgard (1904-2001) and Josephine Hilgard
Researched using college students
Did careful, scientific work
Extensive work on many hypnotic phenomena
Found pain responses were there but subjects didn’t feel pain
Developed Stanford Susceptibility Scale
Did much to promote respect for hypnosis
Firmly believed that through the study of hypnosis we could come to better understand such cognitive processes as attention, memory, learning, etc

14. Ernest & Josephine Hilgard

15. Milton H. Erickson (1904-1980) Dedicated to hypnosis his whole life
Known for his clinical work but also a skilled researcher
Developed naturalistic methods to study hypnosis unobtrusively as well as studying it in the lab
Early fruit study
Concluded hypnosis takes place in the mind of the subject and the less the hypnotist interferes, the stronger the effects
Developed the indirect method of hypnosis

16. Milton H. Erickson MD

17. Theories of Hypnosis Many theories Each has some merit
Think of them as models that can be useful
Only problem when a theory is a “nothing but” theory
House analogy

18. Theories of Hypnosis Fixation of Attention On one idea with monotony
Partial Sleep
Scattered inhibition and excitation
Suggestibility
Response to the idea
Ideodynamic processes
Neo-Dissociation
Reduction of executive control by consciousness
Social-Role Theory
Role playing
Expectancies
Altered State of Consciousness
Trance or alteration of consciousness
Unconscious functioning
Literalness because not thinking about them--just thinking them

19. Experimental Hypnosis
To capture it well, must respect the phenomena being studied
Research needs to use the same procedures for all subjects
As a result, may be using crude procedures
People respond differently
Fails to take enough time to induce a good trance
People vary
May not distinguish between induction and utilization

20. Clinical Hypnosis Distinguishes induction and utilization
Take time to learn how to go into trance
Then use it for change
Direct vs Indirect
Pain relief
Vast research on applications for purposes
Obstetrics, anxiety, pain control, depression, fears, habit control, moods to name a few

21. Research Project to Test Indirect
Compared Hypnosis using Ericksonian Therapy (ET) & Brief Dynamic Therapy (BDT)
Simpkins & Simpkins, 2008
Comparison study of two very different approaches to brief therapy
ET: no direct discussion of problem
BDT: Discussion and analysis of problem

22. Research Continued 2 Groups: ET & BDT 4 Tests: for 4 dimensions
1-CPSAS - Social/interpersonal
2-HSCL- Internal/experiential
3-TC - Target complaint
4-GI - Global improvement
Results
Both methods equally effective for changing the target complaint

23. Implications of Results
Not always necessary to address a problem directly in order to resolve it
Indirect hypnosis activate inner processes for specific as well as nonspecific changes

24. Clinical Hypnosis involves Relationship
Although takes place in the mind of the subject, it is best activated through a trusting relationship
Don’t usually follow advice from someone you mistrust
In self-hypnosis, learn to trust one’s own inner self
When people have problems, sometimes mistrust self
sometimes for good reason
Learn through self-hypnosis to know when to trust and how to develop inner capacities

25. Learning to Experience Hypnosis
Open attitude
Curiosity
Allowing responsiveness
May be subtle
Like flickers between boxcars of a passing train
Utilizing the natural abilities you have and building on them
Relax and enjoy!