EEG Activity to Variations in Consciousness Which type of wave would an EEG detect if you… Which type of wave would an EEG detect if you… _____ 1. Are playing a video game. _____ 2. Are deep in meditation. _____ 3. Have just fallen asleep. _____ 4. Are sleepwalking across the lawn. _____ 5. Are in the midst of a terrible nightmare.

Hypnosis Today’s Goal: Discuss theories of hypnosis, noting the behavior of hypnotized people and claims regarding its uses.

Mesmerism Claimed to cure illnesses by a “laying on of hands” Claimed to cure illnesses by a “laying on of hands” “Animal magnetism” “Animal magnetism”

Hypnotism Systematic procedure that produces heightened state of suggestibility Systematic procedure that produces heightened state of suggestibility Two parts Two parts – Hypnotic induction Subject told to relax, concentrate, or focus attention Subject told to relax, concentrate, or focus attention – Hypnotic suggestions

= Degree to which people respond to hypnotic suggestions 10% of adults are difficult or impossible to hypnotize 10% of adults are difficult or impossible to hypnotize Highly “susceptible” individuals report vivid hypnotic experiences Highly “susceptible” individuals report vivid hypnotic experiences Willingness is most important factor Willingness is most important factor Hypnotic Suggestibility

True or False? People in hypnosis lose control and can be made to do whatever the hypnotist wants. People in hypnosis lose control and can be made to do whatever the hypnotist wants. People may not be able to come out of hypnosis. People may not be able to come out of hypnosis. Hypnosis only affects weak-willed or gullible people. Hypnosis only affects weak-willed or gullible people. Hypnosis reliably enhances the accuracy of memory. Hypnosis reliably enhances the accuracy of memory. Hypnosis enables people to re-experience a past life. Hypnosis enables people to re-experience a past life. Hypnosis depends primarily on the skill of the hypnotist. Hypnosis depends primarily on the skill of the hypnotist. Relaxation is an important part of hypnosis. Relaxation is an important part of hypnosis. All of these statements are false.

Posthypnotic suggestion Posthypnotic suggestion – Instructions about behavior to take place after hypnotic experience (i.e. smiling whenever someone says “England”) Posthypnotic amnesia Posthypnotic amnesia – Inability to recall what happened while hypnotized

Ernest Hilgard (1965, 1992) 1)Hypnotized people show reduced planfulness Waited for hypnotist’s instructions before acting 2)Attention is redistributed Ignore all but the hypnotist’s voice 3)Ability to fantasize More vivid imagination 4)Increased role taking More easily act like person of different age or gender 5)Reduced reality testing Not to question if statements are true, more willing to accept apparent distortions of reality

Altered State of Consciousness? State theory = yes State theory = yes – Notable changes in brain activity during hypnosis – Insensitivity to pain, disappearance of warts

Altered State of Consciousness? Role theory = no Role theory = no – Changes in brain activity can also be created without hypnosis – Merely complying with social demands – Socially acceptable reason to follow suggestions Evidence to support role theory Evidence to support role theory – Non-hypnotized people display behaviors associated with hypnosis

Altered State of Consciousness? Hilgard’s Dissociation Theory = yes and no Hilgard’s Dissociation Theory = yes and no – Not a specific state, but instead a split in consciousness (dissociation) – Body movements under voluntary control can occur on their own, involuntary processes can be controlled voluntarily – Social agreement to share control w/hypnotist

Altered State of Consciousness? Evidence to support dissociation Evidence to support dissociation – Brain imaging == ability to dissociate mental processes greater in people who are more hypnotically susceptible – “ice water” study = told to feel no pain, felt almost none “hidden observer” outside of conscious awareness “hidden observer” outside of conscious awareness

Applications of Hypnosis Alleviation of pain Alleviation of pain Hypnotherapy Hypnotherapy – Reduce symptoms (nausea, headaches, arthritis, skin disorders, etc.) – Effective for obesity – Does NOT work for drug addictions Aid in memory?  not accurate Aid in memory?  not accurate Does NOT cause people to act against their will Does NOT cause people to act against their will

Meditation Intended to create altered state of consciousness characterized by inner peace & tranquility Intended to create altered state of consciousness characterized by inner peace & tranquility Bring mental processes under greater voluntary control Bring mental processes under greater voluntary control Yoga, Zen, transcendental meditation (TM) Yoga, Zen, transcendental meditation (TM) – mantras

Meditation Physiological correlates Physiological correlates – Alpha waves and theta waves become more prominent in EEG recordings – Heart rate, skin conductance, breathing, oxygen consumption/CO2 elimination all decline However, lowered bodily arousal and changes in brain activity could be likely due to simple relaxation effects However, lowered bodily arousal and changes in brain activity could be likely due to simple relaxation effects

Long-Term Benefits of Meditation – View With Caution Reduce effects of stress Reduce effects of stress – Lower levels of “stress hormones” & enhanced immune response Improve mental health while reducing anxiety Improve mental health while reducing anxiety Beneficial effects on self-esteem, mood Beneficial effects on self-esteem, mood Improves concentration and awareness? Improves concentration and awareness?

Altered States of Consciousness Biofeedback training (BFT)  system that provides or “feeds back” info about a bodily function (i.e. heart rate) Biofeedback training (BFT)  system that provides or “feeds back” info about a bodily function (i.e. heart rate) Combat stress, tension, anxiety Combat stress, tension, anxiety Use EEG and EMG (electromyograph) Use EEG and EMG (electromyograph)