Psychogenic perspective

chief causes of abnormal functioning is psychological

HypnosisAltered state of consciousness,

characterized by narrowed attention and and increased openness to suggestion

Josef Breuer

• Normal people experienced deafness, Normal people experienced deafness, paralysis, blindness, or numbness by paralysis, blindness, or numbness by hypnotic suggestion.hypnotic suggestion.

• Mental process-hypnotic suggestion- could both cause and cure physical dysfunction.cause and cure physical dysfunction.

• (Viennese physician) patients awoke free of awoke free of hysterical symptoms after speaking candidly hysterical symptoms after speaking candidly under hypnosis about past upsetting eventsunder hypnosis about past upsetting events.

HypnosisDivided State of Consciousness

• Dual processing

– Implicit= unconsc. processing

– Explicit= conscious processing

• Earnest Hilgard

– Divided or Neodissociated

– Hidden observer

• Part of the brain operates as an interpreter or reporter of events

• Altered state of consciousness

Social Phenomenon

• Sociocognition• Response to social factors

– Obedience to hypnotist, – Conformity with other

participants– Role playing

• Fantasy prone individuals more prone to social influence

Ernest HilgardErnest Hilgard

• Dissociation or split awareness Dissociation or split awareness **Multiple personalitiesMultiple personalities

• PET scan– hand in hot water told painful, or

minimally unpleasant– Felt no conscious pain– When tapped into the hidden observer

with prearranged sign, reports of pain

• Extension of everyday social behavior:

• Waking suggestibility• Selection of responsive subjects• The hypnosis label disinhibits

• Hypnotist as director• Stage hypnotist uses tricks!

STAGE HYPNOSIS

Effects of hypnosis…valid?

• Superhuman acts of strength• Age Regression

– Pseudo-memories

• hypermnesia– Enhance memory

• Post hypnotic suggestion– amnesia

• Pain Relief• Sensory changes

So you want to try hypnosis?

• 1st task… determine whether you are a good candidategood candidate for hypnosis…– Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility

ScalesScales (12 exercises)– Barber Suggestibility ScalesBarber Suggestibility Scales (8

exercises)

• 2nd task…therapist will discuss the medical or psychological condition you wish to work on

Who and Why?• Imaginative• Prone to fantasy• Easily absorbed in

tasks• If willing to be…

– Will not do something they wouldn’t normally do

– Similar to obedience studies

• 8/10 can 4/10 good• High motivation• Role enactment• Self fulfilling

expectations

• Asthma• Allergy• Stroke• Multiple sclerosis• Parkinsons• Cerebral palsy• Control nausea/vomiting• Reduce bleeding during

surgery• Steady heartbeat• Bring down blood pressure• Lose weight• Relief from spasms

Inducing Hypnosismany different routines…

• All encourage person to– Focus attention on what is being said– Relax and feel tired– To “let go” and accept suggestions easily– Use vivid imagination

• Normal will power reduced• Most will not act out suggestions they consider

immoral or repulsive.• Self…auto suggestion-hypnotist acts as a guide

to help another person follow a series of suggestions that alter sensation, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors.

What does it feel like?

• Mild feeling of floating, sinking, anesthesia, separation from body.

• people are aware of what is going on & remain in control of behavior.

• Feel like actions & experiences are automatic (happen with out effort)

• ethical concerns …lay hypnotists using hypnosis to treat mental health conditions– conditions they are not trained to treat

• stage hypnotist should not attempting to treat patients

• volunteers sustain unpleasant or dangerous psychological outcomes

• stage hypnosis is not dangerous, but can indeed mislead the public about the nature of hypnosis.

• Fear… might keep a consumer from seeking treatment from a mental health professional who uses hypnotic techniques.

• may be liability issues for the stage hypnotist.

• American Society for Clinical Hypnosis www.asch.net