1. Hypnosis and Meditation
Unit 4

2. Hypnosis
A heightened suggestibility in which some people report experiencing imaginary events as if they are real

3. Hypnosis… Uses Teaching relaxation Promote positive mental health
Form of anesthetic/pain control
Allergies
Behavior changes (removing addiction)

4. Hypnosis… Susceptibility Some people more responsive than others
a % are excellent subjects
b. 10% are difficult to hypnotize
c % are in between

5. Hypnosis… Characteristics of Hypnotized Individuals:
Willingness to be hypnotized
Reduced playfulness
Attention redistribution
Fantasy reality testing
Good role-taking
Post-hypnotic amnesia

6. Hypnosis… Explanations for Hypnosis
Role Theory: Not a changed state of consciousness; rather, compliance with special social role
State Theory: Altered state in which mental process changes significantly
Dissociation Theory: Not a specific state but a way behavior is controlled; creates a social agreement to allow hypnotist to control behavior

7. Hypnosis… Common Issues One cannot be hypnotized without consent
Hypnotism shows no distinct psychological pattern
Subject will not do anything they consider unacceptable/ do not want to do
Ethical concerns regarding use of hypnosis in courts of law

8. Table Talk Have you or someone you known ever been hypnotized?
Did it work?
How do you know?
Would you be willing to be hypnotized?

9. A method to narrow consciousness so the stresses of outside world diminish
Awareness suspended through repetition of mantra, focus on breathing, or visual stimulus
Meditation

10. Meditation… Origin Originated with Eastern Religions
Hindu practice of yoga
Buddhist practice of Zen
Islamic mystics of Turkey
Purpose: Mental discipline, psychic power, personal knowledge, alter consciousness at will, inner peace and tranquility
Meditation…

11. Meditation… Effects Can’t scientifically measure religious experience
Can measure bodily changes induced by meditation
Metabolic rate drops
More frequent alpha waves
Lower heart and respiration rates
Lactate in blood decreases
Meditation…

12. Meditation… More Effects Continued
3. No conclusive data that meditation results in altered consciousness
4. Best used as a form of stress reduction
5. Meditators score higher on general mental health, self -esteem and social openness

13. Table Talk
What did you know about meditation / yoga before this lesson?
Have you or someone that you know ever tried meditation or yoga?
Did you / they feel better afterwards?
Would you now be willing to try mediation or yoga now if you haven’t already tried?