1. British Society of Clinical and Academic Hypnosis
Annual Conference,
June 2009
The Royal Society of Medicine
London
Symposium David M. Houghton: What contributes to an experience of hypnosis ?

2. HYPNOSIS PROCESS PROCEDURE
EXPERIENCE OF
HYPNOSIS
PROCESS PROCEDURE
Skills of Hypnotisee [Trainee] Skills of Hypnotist [Coach]
critical to experience of hypnosis contributory to experience
of hypnosis
© David M Houghton 2009

3. Research Aids to understanding PROCESS § Exploratory neuroscience
(1) rCBF during hypnosis
[e.g. Stuart Derbyshire, John Gruzelier, Stephen Kosslyn, David Oakley, Amir Raz,
Matt Whalley & others]
(2) mirror neurons [Rizzolatti, Sinigaglia, Iacoboni]
§ Exploring psychological attributes of the hypnotically skilled
e.g. how to assess and measure attributes such as the ability to dissociate,
how skilfully can P make use of a hypnotist’s suggestions,
differences in cognition between adults & children, etc.
§ Theorising about hypnosis
§ Objective study of effectiveness of hypnotists’ different suggestions
© David M Houghton 2009

4. § induction, deepening, use of metaphor etc.
Aids to developing
PROCEDURE
Clinical Techniques
§ induction, deepening, use of metaphor etc.
viz. anything that aids P to experience hypnosis
Professionals’ specialist knowledge
§ psychologist’s knowledge about PTSD, psychological functioning, etc.
§ physician’s knowledge about physiology
Techniques
§ dental surgeon’s knowledge about dental phobia
§ nurse’s knowledge about patient care
§ knowledge of the process resulting from research findings in neuroscience,
psychology, theories etc. that informs procedure
© David M Houghton 2009

5. Issues to be considered in researching the phenomenon of hypnosis
Measure a single behaviour or attitude across a large population
Measure a large number of behaviours & attitudes in a single person
= Nomothetic : looks for norms
which can be generalised
= Idiographic : looks for norms
which can be particularised
A normal distribution –
How is this person the same as others on this ability/ trait … “normal” or not?
What is uniquely different about this person ?
© David M Houghton 2009

6. Randomised Controlled Trials =
Issues to be considered in researching the phenomenon of hypnosis continued /
Randomised Controlled Trials =
measuring particular treatment / behaviour across large populations
Single Case Research =
measuring a particular treatment / behaviour within single person
Single Case Research
© David M Houghton 2009

7. Reconciling research and the needs of clinical practice
I need to know how a particular child or young adult compares with her or his peers
Standardised measures
e.g. tests and inventories which
assess self-efficacy, self-esteem, anxiety, depression, social & other phobias … etc. V
I need to know how a particular child or young adult compares herself or himself with his peers (or meets the expectations of significant others)
Viz. nomothetic measures
© David M Houghton 2009

8. Reconciling research and the needs of clinical practice continued /
I need to know how a particular child or young adult compares herself or himself with her or his peers
Particularised measures
e.g. Repertory Grid, Q-sort, Self-Efficacy & Self-Esteem, life & event diaries, etc.
Idiographic methods
viz. Idiographic methods
© David M Houghton 2009

9. To understand the phenomenon of hypnosis, better to contribute to its clinical practice, it is necessary to look for evidence resulting from both random controlled trials and single case research studies across nomothetic and idiographic studies in neuroscience in particular and psychology and the health professions in general.
© David M Houghton 2009

10. Permission is granted for this slide presentation to be used in training registered health professionals in the clinical use of hypnosis and for use by accredited researchers, providing due acknowledgement is given to its author.