Altered States

Hypnosis• Franz Mesmer- “mesmerized” 18th C.• James Braid- “hypnotism” 19th C.

Hypnosis

• Techniques to induce hypnosis• Hypnotic susceptibility• Uses of Hypnotism:

1. Anesthesia2. Recalling Past Events3. Behavior Modification4. Entertain

Hypnotic TheoriesRole Playing Theory(Nicholas Spanos)

• Hypnosis is NOT an altered state of consciousness.

• A social phenomenon where people want to believe.

• Work better on people with richer fantasy lives.

Altered State Theory(Ernest Hilgard)

• Hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness.

• Dissociation- divided consciousness

• It works best for pain.• Ice water experiment

Hypnosis Documentary

• Science of Hypnosis- BBC documentary

Meditation

Practice that trains attention to heighten awareness and bring mental processes under voluntary control

Physical Changes During Meditation

• Alpha & theta waves present• Brain scans show high activity in the prefrontal

cortex and low activity in the parietal lobe• Suppression of bodily arousal ( heart rate,

respiration rate, oxygen consumption & carbon dioxide elimination decline)

Long Term Benefits

• Regular meditation is associated with lower levels of stress hormones

• Reduces anxiety• Beneficial effects on blood pressure, self-

esteem, mood and ones sense of control

LETS MEDITATE! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e0rSmxsVHPE