States of ConsciousnessStates of Consciousness

Hypnosis, Meditation, and Hypnosis, Meditation, and Sensory DeprivationSensory Deprivation

HypnosisHypnosis

Defined as an altered state of Defined as an altered state of consciousness, characterized by a consciousness, characterized by a narrowed attention and openness to narrowed attention and openness to suggestionsuggestion

Can be explained by normal principlesCan be explained by normal principlesNot mysterious or magicalNot mysterious or magical

History of HypnosisHistory of Hypnosis

Began in 1700sBegan in 1700s Franz MesmerFranz Mesmer

Austrian doctorAustrian doctor Believed he could use magnets to cure diseaseBelieved he could use magnets to cure disease Power of suggestionPower of suggestion Term mesmerize (to hypnotise)Term mesmerize (to hypnotise)

James BraidJames Braid English surgeon English surgeon Greek word hypnos means…Greek word hypnos means… But not really what happensBut not really what happens

Hypnosis contHypnosis cont

Is it really a state of altered Is it really a state of altered consciousness??consciousness??YesYesBrain waves measured different from sleep or Brain waves measured different from sleep or

pretendingpretending

Hypnotic susceptibilityHypnotic susceptibility

8 out of 10 can be hypnotized, 4 out of 10 8 out of 10 can be hypnotized, 4 out of 10 will be good hypnotic subjectswill be good hypnotic subjects

People who are highly imaginative and People who are highly imaginative and prone to fantasy are good subjectsprone to fantasy are good subjects

Test for susceptability, called the Stanford Test for susceptability, called the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale. How is this Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale. How is this done?done?

Hypnosis TechniquesHypnosis Techniques

Hypnotists are all different, but all use same Hypnotists are all different, but all use same basic techniquesbasic techniques

All techniques of hypnosis encourage a person All techniques of hypnosis encourage a person to:to: Focus attention on what is being saidFocus attention on what is being said Relax and feel tiredRelax and feel tired To ‘let go’ and accept suggestions easilyTo ‘let go’ and accept suggestions easily To use vivid imaginationTo use vivid imagination http:// video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-http:// video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-

1648726490455579372&q=hypnosis 1648726490455579372&q=hypnosis

Cooperation for hypnosis…Cooperation for hypnosis…

Need to cooperate in order to be hypnotizedNeed to cooperate in order to be hypnotized Many people believe that it is merely self-Many people believe that it is merely self-

hypnosis (autosuggestion)hypnosis (autosuggestion) Basic suggest effect happens (tendency of Basic suggest effect happens (tendency of

hypnotized person to carry out suggested hypnotized person to carry out suggested actions as if they were involuntary)actions as if they were involuntary)

Hypnotized people generally remain in control of Hypnotized people generally remain in control of their body- wouldn’t do something unethicaltheir body- wouldn’t do something unethical

Effects of HypnosisEffects of Hypnosis

Superhuman acts of strengthSuperhuman acts of strength NoNo

MemoryMemory Might be able to enhance, but can also increase the Might be able to enhance, but can also increase the

number of false memoriesnumber of false memories No longer permitted in courtNo longer permitted in court

AmnesiaAmnesia If told not to remember, may notIf told not to remember, may not Brief memory lossBrief memory loss May just be deliberate attempt to avoid thinking about May just be deliberate attempt to avoid thinking about

specific objectsspecific objects

Effects of Hypnosis contEffects of Hypnosis cont

Pain reliefPain relief Can relieve painCan relieve pain Useful when chemical painkillers are ineffectiveUseful when chemical painkillers are ineffective Can reduce phantom painCan reduce phantom pain

Age regressionAge regression NoNo Only acting out suggested roleOnly acting out suggested role

Sensory changesSensory changes Most effectiveMost effective Suggestions about sensationsSuggestions about sensations Can alter color vision, hearing sensitivity, time sense, Can alter color vision, hearing sensitivity, time sense,

smell sensationsmell sensation

Can Hypnosis modify behaviors?Can Hypnosis modify behaviors?

Can hypnosis help a person quit smoking, Can hypnosis help a person quit smoking, etc?etc?

Perhaps, but it’s much more useful in Perhaps, but it’s much more useful in changing subjective experience than changing subjective experience than modifying behaviorsmodifying behaviors

Stage HypnosisStage Hypnosis

The use of hypnosis to entertainThe use of hypnosis to entertainOften merely a simulation of hypnosis for Often merely a simulation of hypnosis for

the purpose of entertainmentthe purpose of entertainmentPerformers use several features of the Performers use several features of the

stage to perform:stage to perform:Waking suggestibility- on stage, people are Waking suggestibility- on stage, people are

more cooperativemore cooperativeSelection of responsive subjects- first Selection of responsive subjects- first

hypnotized as grouphypnotized as group

Stage hypnosis etc…Stage hypnosis etc…

Continued features of stage performers:Continued features of stage performers:Hypnosis label disinhibits- no fear of Hypnosis label disinhibits- no fear of

embarrassment, takes away personal embarrassment, takes away personal responsibility for one’s actionsresponsibility for one’s actions

The hypnotist acts as a director- those being The hypnotist acts as a director- those being hypnotized are stars of the show, bring out hypnotized are stars of the show, bring out the hamthe ham

Stage hypnotist uses tricks- 50% taking Stage hypnotist uses tricks- 50% taking advantage, 50% deception. Ex: chair trickadvantage, 50% deception. Ex: chair trick

MeditationMeditation

A mental exercise for producing relaxation A mental exercise for producing relaxation or heightened awarenessor heightened awareness

Focuses attention and interrupts flow of Focuses attention and interrupts flow of thoughts, worries, and analysisthoughts, worries, and analysis

EEG recordings take on unique patterns EEG recordings take on unique patterns during meditationduring meditation

A distinct state of consciousnessA distinct state of consciousness

Forms of MeditationForms of Meditation

There are two forms of meditation:There are two forms of meditation:Concentrative meditation: attend to a single Concentrative meditation: attend to a single

object or thought (or internal process)object or thought (or internal process)Receptive meditation: based on widening Receptive meditation: based on widening

attention to become aware of anything attention to become aware of anything experienced at any given moment, and experienced at any given moment, and embrace a total, non-judgmental awareness embrace a total, non-judgmental awareness of the worldof the world

Receptive is more difficultReceptive is more difficult

Concentrative meditationConcentrative meditation

Sit still and quietly, focus on external Sit still and quietly, focus on external objects or internal stimulusobjects or internal stimulus

Can also focus on a mantra Can also focus on a mantra Mantra is a word used as the focus of Mantra is a word used as the focus of

attention in concentrative meditationattention in concentrative meditationHas smooth flowing sound (ommmm) or Has smooth flowing sound (ommmm) or

pleasant phrase from a song, poem, or prayerpleasant phrase from a song, poem, or prayer

Benefits to meditationBenefits to meditation

Lowered heart rate, BP, muscle tension, Lowered heart rate, BP, muscle tension, and other signs of stressand other signs of stress

Core of meditation is Core of meditation is relaxation responserelaxation responsePattern of internal bodily changes that occurs Pattern of internal bodily changes that occurs

at time of relaxationat time of relaxationOpposes body’s fight or flight mechanismOpposes body’s fight or flight mechanism

Other effects?Other effects?20 min equal to a full night’s sleep- true?20 min equal to a full night’s sleep- true?

Benefits contBenefits cont

Good for people who find it difficult to turn Good for people who find it difficult to turn off upsetting thoughts when they need to off upsetting thoughts when they need to relaxrelax

May improve physical healthMay improve physical health

MindfulnessMindfulness

An open, non-judgmental, awareness of An open, non-judgmental, awareness of current experiencecurrent experience

The opposite of tuning outThe opposite of tuning outThe same state that those in meditation The same state that those in meditation

are trying to achieveare trying to achieveFully present, moment my momentFully present, moment my moment

Not judging or reactingNot judging or reactingEffects: lower level of stress, greater sense of Effects: lower level of stress, greater sense of

well being and self knowledgewell being and self knowledge

Sensory DeprivationSensory Deprivation

Major reduction in amount or variety of Major reduction in amount or variety of sensory stimulationsensory stimulation

Ex: floatation tank- dark space, warm salt Ex: floatation tank- dark space, warm salt water, no noisewater, no noise

Sensory Deprivation pros and Sensory Deprivation pros and cons…cons…

Cons: Cons: With monotonous work (solitary confinement, With monotonous work (solitary confinement,

artic explorers, high altitude pilots, long artic explorers, high altitude pilots, long distance truck drivers distance truck drivers

Can experience bizarre sensations, lapses in Can experience bizarre sensations, lapses in attention, distorted perceptionsattention, distorted perceptions

Pros:Pros:Can be very relaxingCan be very relaxingDrop in BP, muscle tension, and other Drop in BP, muscle tension, and other

stressorsstressors