States of Consciousness Myth #10: HYPNOSIS IS A UNIQUE "TRANCE" STATE THAT DIFFERS IN KIND FROM WAKEFULNESS States of Consciousness

1. Hypnosis is NOT: Mysterious and creepy A mystical or supernatural force Giving up your control over your own actions Being dominated by the power of the hypnotist Being put to sleep or sleepwalking Brainwashing Very difficult A means of giving your abilities that you didn’t already possess

2. Hypnosis IS: A natural state of mind that is different from your normal waking state and different from being asleep Giving the hypnotist your cooperation A state of deep relaxation in which you are highly suggestible An avenue to plant suggestions into your mind in a powerful way Possible (and easy) to do yourself to harness its power for improved performance A means of unlocking abilities that you have always had

3. Hypnosis Defined: A state of heightened suggestibility 4. Have you been hypnotized?

Concentrate…

Creative Imagination Scale 7. How suggestible are you?

8. Who is More Likely to be Hypnotized? Want to be Believe it can help Fantasy-prone personality

Can You Be Hypnotized? 40% low 30% medium 30% high Want to be Believe it can help Fantasy-prone personality

How Do You hypnotize? 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”)

Can You Be Hypnotized Against Your Will?

Theories: Trance Theory 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

Evidence? 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) A: Points to “Pain scale” B: Ice immersed in ice bath

Social Influence Theory 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”)

Evidence? 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?

What Do People Do “Under” Hypnosis? 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

Hypnotherapy: Repressed Memory One Case 1969 crime, George Franklin convicted of murdering Susan Nason based on “eyewitness testimony” of daughter Eileen Franklin; sentenced to life (1990) Exonerated 1996 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QtEZYJRq7s

Applications Entertainment Treating pain, medical conditions, depression, anxiety, obesity (in conjunction with other therapy) Primary benefit is relaxation!

Relaxation: Autogenic Training 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.

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

Physical sensations association with relaxation response Heaviness in limbs Warmth in limbs Slower heart beat Slower and deeper rhythm of breathing AND Coolness on forehead