Transcript Hypnosis-and

What Other Forms Can
Consciousness Take?
An altered state of
consciousness occurs when
some aspect of normal
consciousness is modified
by mental, behavioral, or
chemical means
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2007
What Other Forms Can
Consciousness Take?
• Hypnosis
• Meditation
• Psychoactive drug states
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Hypnosis
• Hypnosis
• An induced state of altered awareness,
characterized by heightened suggestibility
and deep relaxation
Hypnotizability
The degree to which an individual is responsive
to hypnotic suggestions
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Is Hypnosis …
1. a distinct state of consciousness?
2. simply heightened motivation?
People are ‘hypnotized’ because they want to be
or expect to be
3. a social process?
Role playing to please others or the instructor
Hidden Observer
is the involving
part of the self
that is aware
4.The
a dissociative
state
a “hidden
of things outside conscious awareness.
observer” in the person’s mind
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Hilgard’s Hidden Observer Theory
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Hypnosis is a dissociated state
involving a “hidden observer” in
a person’s mind operating in
parallel with the normal consciousness
• Hilgard called the unhypnotized part of the
mind the "hidden observer".
• He argued, a person undergoing hypnosis to manage chronic
pain feels no conscious pain; but that does not mean the
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© Allyn
Bacon 2007
pain
is& not
there
• In one experiment conducted by
the Hilgards, subjects were
hypnotized and told they would
feel no pain or discomfort when
an arm was placed in ice water.
• The subjects reported no pain or
discomfort during these
procedures.
• When their "hidden observers"
were tapped into, there were
reports of pain and discomfort
Hypnosis As an
Altered State
• Experts disagree about whether
hypnosis involves
– A distinct state of consciousness
– Heightened motivation
– Social processes such as role playing
– A dissociate state (Hilgard’s “hidden
observer” view)
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Practical Uses for
Hypnosis
Researchers
Psychological treatment
Medical and dental treatment
Hypnotic analgesia –
Diminished sensitivity to pain while under hypnosis
Curing bad habits such as smoking – posthypnotic
suggestion
Lamaze Method of Natural Childbirth
Uses hypnosis-like procedures to control pain
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Copyright © Allyn & Bacon
2007
Meditation
As an altered state of
consciousness…that may be
• A form of consciousness change
a western world view
induced by focusing on a
Buddhism
teaches
that theassuming
world
repetitive
behavior,
is an certain
illusion body
of thepositions,
senses, soand
meditation more accurately
minimizing
external
stimulation
captures reality
Reduces anxiety, tension, lowers
blood pressure and stress
hormones, changes brain wave
patterns
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2007
• Watch Derren Brown Freezing Legs video on
Youtube
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon
2007