1. Altered States of Consciousness
CP PSYCHOLOGY
CHAPTER 7
Altered States of Consciousness
Section 7Q2
Hypnosis …Hallucinations …Meditation
Richard Martel, NHS
Glencoe Publishers

2. Altered States of Consciousness (7Q2)
Hypnosis: Characterized by a narrow focus of attention and heightened suggestibility
Hypnotic trance is not sleep, but rather a loss of interest in external distractions
Subject must be willing to cooperate, and will only do things they normally would do
Dissociation Theory Vs. Hidden Observer Theory

3. Altered States of Consciousness (7Q2)
Posthypnotic Suggestion: Hypnotist gets subjects to do things after trance has ended … normally for treatment of a psychological condition
Smoking cessation, anxiety relief, weight loss etc.
Non-hypnotized persons can also do this

4. Altered States of Consciousness (7Q2)
Hallucinations
:Perceptions that have no direct external cause and are not input from the senses
Causes include hypnosis, meditation, some drugs, addiction withdrawal, psychosis
Detect increase Dopamine levels in the brain
Hallucinations are very similar from one person to the next due to brain’s reaction

5. Altered States of Consciousness (7Q2)
Sensory Deprivation: Severely limiting sensory inputs to a person’s brain
People quickly become irritable, restless, upset and some begin to hallucinate
Biofeedback: Learning to voluntarily control autonomic nervous system processes with the help of feedback
Scientists used to believe heart rate, blood pressure, sweating etc. were involuntary

6. Altered States of Consciousness (7Q2)
Meditation: Focusing attention with the goal of clearing the mind to gain “inner peace”
Mantra: Special word that is repeated over and over causing deep relaxation response
The Four Elements of Meditation; Quiet, Comfortable, a “Mental Device” (Mantra), & Passive Attitude