1 PSYCHOLOGY (8th Edition, in Modules) David Myers PowerPoint Slides Worth Publishers, © 2007

2 Hypnosis Module 19

3 Hypnosis  Facts and Falsehoods  Is Hypnosis an Altered State of Consciousness?

4 Mesmerism Credit for hypnosis’ popularity goes to Franz Anton Mesmer, a physician, who mistakenly thought he had discovered “animal magnetism.” Some of his patients experienced trancelike states, and felt better on waking up. Franz Mesmer ( )

5 Hypnosis Hypnos: Greek god of sleep A social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist) suggests to another (the subject) that certain perceptions, feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur.

6 Hypnosis Hypnosis is a systematic procedure that typically produces a heightened state of suggestibility.

7 Hypnotic Susceptibility Not everyone can be hypnotized. 10% of the population doesn’t respond to hypnotism & 10% are highly susceptible. What makes some one susceptible? –People who can be come deeply absorbed. –People with a vivid imagination.

8 Effects of Hypnosis Anesthesia Sensory distortions and hallucinations Disinhibition Posthypnotic Suggestions and Amnesia

9 Aspects of Hypnosis 1.Posthypnotic Suggestion: Suggestion carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized. 2.Posthypnotic Amnesia: Supposed inability to recall what one experienced during hypnosis.

10 Strength, stamina, perceptual and memory abilities are similarly affected in hypnotized and unhypnotized people. Hypnotic Feats

11 Is Hypnosis an Altered State of Consciousness? 1.Social Influence Theory: Hypnotic subjects may simply be imaginative actors playing a social role. 2.Divided Consciousness: Theory: Hypnosis is a special state of dissociated (divided) consciousness (Hilgard, 1986, 1992). (Hilgard, 1992) Courtesy of News and Publications Service, Stanford University

12 Social Influence Theory Support for: –Hypnotic feats can be duplicated while not hypnotized. –When a hypnotized patient is asked to “recall their sixth birthday” they can give a detailed account of it; however, it is not the real account.

13 Divided Consciousness Theory Support For –Patients display hypnotic responses even when left alone in a room. –Patients can undergo minor surgery while under hypnosis. –Brain activity changes while under hypnosis. –Divided consciousness is a common experience. Dissociation: a splitting off of mental processes into two separate, simultaneous streams of awareness.

14 Both Theories Mimi Forsyth