Lecture 5: Hypnosis n 1. Introduction n 2. State vs non-state theories n 3. Hypnotic phenomena n 4. Conclusion.

Lecture 5: HypnosisLecture 5: Hypnosis

1. Introduction1. Introduction 2. State vs non-state theories2. State vs non-state theories 3. Hypnotic phenomena3. Hypnotic phenomena 4. Conclusion4. Conclusion

A strange and powerful A strange and powerful force?force?

Franz Anton Mesmer Franz Anton Mesmer 1734-18151734-1815

Mesmerist with patientMesmerist with patient

Mesmer’s Mesmer’s BaquetBaquet

Mesmer’s Mesmer’s BaquetBaquet

Deslon fails to magnetise Deslon fails to magnetise FranklinFranklin

The Royal Commission’s The Royal Commission’s ReportReport

Presentation of the ReportPresentation of the Report

James BraidJames Braid1795-18601795-1860

Braid’s MethodBraid’s Method

Braid’s ReportBraid’s Report

State Theories of HypnosisState Theories of Hypnosis View hypnosis as a unique altered state View hypnosis as a unique altered state

of consciousnessof consciousness Different levels of tranceDifferent levels of trance

– the deeper the trance, the wider the range of the deeper the trance, the wider the range of hypnotic phenomena which manifesthypnotic phenomena which manifest

E.g., Hilgard’s neodissociationist modelE.g., Hilgard’s neodissociationist model– multiple systems of control, not all conscious multiple systems of control, not all conscious

at the same timeat the same time– hypnosis removes control from “executive hypnosis removes control from “executive

ego”ego”

Neodissociationist TheoryNeodissociationist Theory

Hidden observer phenomenonHidden observer phenomenon analgesia, regression, deafness, analgesia, regression, deafness,

blindness, amnesia, hallucinations, blindness, amnesia, hallucinations, and so on.and so on.

Non-State Theories: Non-State Theories: Psychological ConceptsPsychological Concepts

Hypnosis explained in terms of:Hypnosis explained in terms of:‘attitudes, expectancies, ‘attitudes, expectancies, beliefs, compliance, imagination, attention, concentration, beliefs, compliance, imagination, attention, concentration, distraction, and relaxation’distraction, and relaxation’ (Wagstaff 1994) (Wagstaff 1994)

Hypnosis as role-playing (Barber, Spanos and Wagstaff):Hypnosis as role-playing (Barber, Spanos and Wagstaff): 1. The subject works out what is expected on the 1. The subject works out what is expected on the

basis of previous knowledge and current instructions.basis of previous knowledge and current instructions. 2. The subject employs various strategies to bring 2. The subject employs various strategies to bring

about the desired results.about the desired results. 3. If the strategies are unsuccessful, the subject gives 3. If the strategies are unsuccessful, the subject gives

up or else fakes it. (Wagstaff 1991)up or else fakes it. (Wagstaff 1991)

Control Groups in Control Groups in Hypnosis StudiesHypnosis Studies

Simulators vs “reals” (e.g., Orne, Simulators vs “reals” (e.g., Orne, 1979)1979)

Task-motivated participants (e.g., Task-motivated participants (e.g., Barber, 1969)Barber, 1969)

Hypnotic PhenomenaHypnotic Phenomena

No characteristic pattern of No characteristic pattern of psychophysiological activity uniquely psychophysiological activity uniquely associated with “hypnotic trance”associated with “hypnotic trance”

Paranormal claimsParanormal claims– seeing with the back of the headseeing with the back of the head– reading while blindfoldedreading while blindfolded– communicating with the deadcommunicating with the dead– clairvoyanceclairvoyance– past-life regressionpast-life regression

Reading while blindfoldedReading while blindfolded

Clairvoyance: Knowing Clairvoyance: Knowing who is at the door before who is at the door before

they enterthey enter

Hypnotic PhenomenaHypnotic Phenomena

Memory enhancementMemory enhancement– no more effective than other no more effective than other

techniques and risks encouraging techniques and risks encouraging confabulation (e.g., Wagstaff, 1989)confabulation (e.g., Wagstaff, 1989)

Improved strength, e.g., human Improved strength, e.g., human plank demonstrationplank demonstration

Human PlankHuman Plank

Hypnotic suggestionHypnotic suggestion

Cold, isn’t it?Cold, isn’t it?

Or is it rather hot?Or is it rather hot?

Hypnotic Paralysis and Hypnotic Paralysis and Hysterical Convulsions?Hysterical Convulsions?

Dangerous and Antisocial Dangerous and Antisocial ActsActs

Non-state account emphasises Non-state account emphasises participantsparticipants– wanting to help the wanting to help the

hypnotist/experimenterhypnotist/experimenter– thinking that their actions were thinking that their actions were

actually safeactually safe– making assumptions that someone making assumptions that someone

else would take responsibility for the else would take responsibility for the consequences of the actsconsequences of the acts

Trance LogicTrance Logic(e.g., Orne, 1959, 1979)(e.g., Orne, 1959, 1979)

If asked to hallucinate a person who If asked to hallucinate a person who is already present “reals” will report is already present “reals” will report seeing both the actual person and seeing both the actual person and the hallucinated double the hallucinated double simultaneouslysimultaneously

if asked to hallucinate a person if asked to hallucinate a person sitting in a chair, “reals” will report sitting in a chair, “reals” will report that they can see through the imagethat they can see through the image

Trance Logic (cont.)Trance Logic (cont.)

When regressed to childhood, When regressed to childhood, “reals” will report that they feel “reals” will report that they feel simultaneously like a child and an simultaneously like a child and an adultadult

In such a state, “reals” will In such a state, “reals” will correctly write complex sentences.correctly write complex sentences.

In all these situations, simulators In all these situations, simulators behave in a more logically behave in a more logically consistent mannerconsistent manner

Trance Logic:Trance Logic:Non-state ExplanationNon-state Explanation

Simulators are told to behave like Simulators are told to behave like excellentexcellent hypnotic subjects hypnotic subjects (Wagstaff, 1999)(Wagstaff, 1999)

Negative hallucinationsNegative hallucinations– Participants just lying (Wagstaff)?Participants just lying (Wagstaff)?– Spanos, Flynn & Gabora (1989)Spanos, Flynn & Gabora (1989)

An example of negative An example of negative hallucinations?hallucinations?

Hypnotic AmnesiaHypnotic Amnesia Neodissociationist explanation: Hypnotic Neodissociationist explanation: Hypnotic

suggestion produces “amnesic barrier” which suggestion produces “amnesic barrier” which can be breached if release signal givencan be breached if release signal given

Non-state explanation: Instruction to forget is Non-state explanation: Instruction to forget is interpreted as instruction to try not to interpreted as instruction to try not to rememberremember

Interference effects still foundInterference effects still found Psychophysiological indices of familiarity still Psychophysiological indices of familiarity still

manifestmanifest Attempts to “breach amnesic barrier” often Attempts to “breach amnesic barrier” often

successfulsuccessful

Hypnotic AnalgesiaHypnotic Analgesia

Hypnotic AnalgesiaHypnotic Analgesia(Wagstaff, 1994)(Wagstaff, 1994)

... first, cases of surgery with hypnosis alone are ... first, cases of surgery with hypnosis alone are rare, and some individuals can tolerate pain rare, and some individuals can tolerate pain without medication or hypnosis; second, much without medication or hypnosis; second, much major surgery is actually less painful than is major surgery is actually less painful than is commonly expected; and third, pain is a complex commonly expected; and third, pain is a complex sensation that can be alleviated through sensation that can be alleviated through relaxation, the reduction of stress and anxiety, relaxation, the reduction of stress and anxiety, and the use of strategies such as distraction and and the use of strategies such as distraction and the reinterpretation of noxious stimulation; all of the reinterpretation of noxious stimulation; all of which are frequently involved in cases of hypnotic which are frequently involved in cases of hypnotic surgery (Chaves, 1989; Spanos & Chaves, 1989).surgery (Chaves, 1989; Spanos & Chaves, 1989).

Hypnotic AnalgesiaHypnotic Analgesia

Reflects expectations of Reflects expectations of participantsparticipants

As does perception of pain As does perception of pain reported by “hidden observer”reported by “hidden observer”

Hypnotic PhenomenaHypnotic Phenomena

Clinical applicationsClinical applications Age regressionAge regression Age progressionAge progression Past-life regressionPast-life regression

Hypnotic Progression to Hypnotic Progression to the Future!the Future!

ConclusionConclusion

Although debate continues, non-Although debate continues, non-state theorists are able to offer state theorists are able to offer plausible accounts for hypnotic plausible accounts for hypnotic phenomena …phenomena …

… … which is a bit of a pity as state which is a bit of a pity as state theories could potentially explain a theories could potentially explain a wide range of ostensibly wide range of ostensibly paranormal phenomena!paranormal phenomena!

AcknowledgementAcknowledgement

With thanks to Hilary Evans, With thanks to Hilary Evans, proprietor of the Mary Evans proprietor of the Mary Evans Picture Library, for permission to Picture Library, for permission to use illustrations featured in this use illustrations featured in this presentation. These illustrations presentation. These illustrations must not be reproduced in any must not be reproduced in any form without permission from the form without permission from the Mary Evans Picture Library.Mary Evans Picture Library.