Hypnosis When you hear the word “hypnosis” what words, phrases, or images come to mind? How does Hollywood portray hypnosis?

What is Hypnosis?  A social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) makes suggestions about perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors, and another person (the subject) follows those suggestions

Theories of Hypnosis

Theory 1: Social Influence Theory  Hypnosis is caused by powerful social influences  Are we faking it? –No –Similar to actors who get caught up in their roles –“The hypnotist’s ideas become the subject’s thoughts, and the subject’s thoughts produce the hypnotic experiences and behaviors.” – Theodore Barber  Hypnotic phenomena are an extension of everyday social behavior  Nicholas Spanos

Theory 2: Divided Consciousness Theory  During hypnosis our consciousness splits so that one aspect of consciousness is not aware of the role that other parts are playing –Dissociation: split in consciousness, which allows some thoughts and behaviors to occur simultaneously with others –Pain and hypnosis  Evidence: distinctive brain behavior accompanies hypnosis  Promoted by Ernest Hilgard –The hidden observer

Hypnotic Techniques

Hypnotic Induction and Posthypnotic Suggestions  The process of hypnotizing a subject  Voice is calm, rhythmic and makes a series of suggestions  PHS: A suggestion, made during a hypnosis session, that the subject will carry out when no longer hypnotized

Hypnotizability  Differences in the ability of people to become hypnotized  Varies from person to person  Varies from situation to situation  Not associated with gullibility –People who have respect for authority  10% easily hypnotized; 10% not easily hypnotized  Do you think you could be hypnotized?

So What Good Is Hypnosis?  Can it help us recall forgotten events? –No (although ¾ people think that under hypnosis you can recover memories from birth)  Actually increases the likelihood of false memories –Age regression (returning to a child-like state)  No; Act like children, but can still write like adults! –Many states do not allow testimony from witnesses who recall events under hypnosis  Can it make you act against your will? –No –Acid “throwing” experiment –Participants retain their ability to control their behavior during hypnosis

So What Good Is Hypnosis?  Can it be therapeutic? –Yes –PHS have been helpful in alleviating headaches, asthma –Some evidence shows that PHS can help control weight and smoking habits  Can hypnosis control pain? –Yes –Dentist, surgery, cancer –Dissociation: allows us to block attention to pain producing stimuli –10% of people could have surgery with no anesthesia!