Hypno1A

Introduction: Why study hypnosis?: 

Introduction: Why study hypnosis? A trance behavior that has had no religious link to Judeo-Christian tradition for the last 200 years. Trance: behavior and subjective experience that appear to be out of the ordinary: anomalous experiences (altered state). Anomalous experiences led to the first psychotherapeutic system and the investigation of suggestion (at the end of the 18th century) ... A tradition that we still see in stage hypnosis.

Slide2: 

Basic process underlying hypnosis-like behaviors and experiences: suggestion. Suggestion: historically linked to the ‘work of the Devil’ Sub-icere: to strike from under, Sub-genere -- to manipulate (still viewed like this by the Catholic church). Verbal and/or non-verbal communication aiming at influencing a person’s behavior or experience consciously or non-consciously.  e.g. Conscious: giving advice (not too interesting). Non-conscious: subliminal suggestion or creating a false memory in someone without the person knowing it is false (or wart removal...).

The concept of “Altered State”: 

The concept of “Altered State” To qualify as an altered state: must have specific physiological markers (for ex: sleep – EEG patterns different from awake state). Natural versus Artificial altered states: Sleep, somnambulism, meditation, hypnosis, etc… - vs - Drug-induced. If no specific physiological signs can be found, THEN: The concept of altered state is used only in a descriptive, experiential sense: it only means that the subject feels different from normal day-to-day functioning.

Slide4: 

It has NO explanatory value: For example if one asks: - Why is Peter behaving in such a strange way? - Because he is hypnotized. - How do you know he is hypnotized? - Because he is behaving strangely.  It becomes a circular argument that doesn’t explain anything. One needs to identify specific characteristics of each altered state (ex: physiological or neuro-physiological signs). In artificial states one can pinpoint to the cause of the behavior (ex: alcohol intoxication, medication side-effects).

Origins of Hypnosis: 

Origins of Hypnosis The word ‘hypnosis’: Greek origin ‘hypnos’ coined in 1840’s by a British physician: James Braid. Hypnos: sleep (so it is a incorrect analogy) eventhough hypnotized people can look like they are asleep. The actual origin of hypnosis can be found in a movement called Animal Magnetism at the end of the 18th century proposed by Mesmer (come back to it later). The idea that beliefs (or the mind) can influence the body can be found earlier in many primitive healing rituals.

Primitive Healing Rituals: 

Primitive Healing Rituals “primitive”: refers to non-medical treatment and does not imply naivety of beliefs. All based on the concept of suggestion. All nurtured by one’s beliefs and expectations. Psychological interactions (rituals) leading to the improvement or cure of an illness. Rituals: set of regulated behaviors expected to bring a desired outcome.

Examples of Primitive Healing Rituals: 

Examples of Primitive Healing Rituals Disease Theory Disease-Object Intrusion Loss of Soul Spirit Intrusion (Possession) Breach of Taboo Sorcery Therapy Extraction of object. Find, bring back & restore lost soul. Mechanical Extraction; transference into another being. Exorcism. Confession – Propitiation. Counter-magic.

Disease-Object Intrusion: 

Disease-Object Intrusion Disease is caused by the presence of a harmful foreign substance. Disease usually removed by Medicine-Man (with his mouth). This technique is part of a more elaborate ritual (involving dances, music and a public audience). It can only be successful only IF 3 conditions are met:  The healer must believe in his own powers.  The patient must have faith in the healer’s power.  There has to be social support from the group (for both). These conditions apply to ALL Primitive Healing Rituals

Loss of Soul: 

Loss of Soul Can occur spontaneously or by accident (e.g.: sneezing). Is a widespread theory of disease that is based on naturalistic observations (i.e: sleepwalking, fainting, dreaming). The soul can be retrieved in different ways:  A shaman (medicine-man) that travels to the world of the spirits.  Special incantations – rituals. Key expressions: “alienation”, “estrangement”, “loss of something”, and such.

Possession: 

Possession The idea that evil spirits have entered the patient’s body and taken possession of it. Characteristics of the possessed body: Physical changes: include voice, language, behaviors, strength and possible anesthetized areas. Psychological changes: include delusions, hallucinations, aggressivity and such. Basically, a general loss of identity.

Possession con’d: 

Possession con’d There are 2 types of Possession:  Artificial: Done at will and voluntarily (not our focus).  Spontaneous: Occurs outside of will or control. Of the spontaneous types, 3 have been delineated:  Somnambulistic: Involves a possession that spurs depersonalization and amnesia.  Lucid: Involves an obsession that becomes a conscious struggle (i.e.: no amnesia).  Circumsessio: This one is a result of “evolution”. This became the kind of possession that imitated a given natural illness (ancestor of psychosomatic and somatoform disorders).

Possession con’d: 

Possession con’d 3 ways to rid the body of the possession:  Mechanical extraction: through the use of e.g.: Beating, whipping, bleeding, noises and smells (viz: link with Hysteria).  Transference: to another substance, usually another animal.  Exorcism: release the possessed body through ritual chants, prayers and incantations (This is an important one – a future tool of magnetism). Changes in Possession are directly related to changes in social and religious values of the moment, and also vary from culture to culture.

Breach of Taboo: 

Breach of Taboo The chain reactions is as follows: breach of taboo = SIN  guilty feelings  illness. Involves confession (personal, social or cultural) and/or propitiation (regaining status previously held in environment). The resulting illness can take many forms e.g.: aphasia (loss of voice) resulting from saying something forbidden.

A final word…: 

The basic goal of any healing ritual is to bring a cure These can be found in all cultures. They all aim at creating a cathartic reaction in the patient. Catharsis: comes from the Greek theater (drama) where the actors sought to create in the spectator an emotional reaction (think here of a book or movie that “got to you”).  Catharsis means purgation whether physical, psychological (emotional) and/or spiritual (still at the core of many therapeutic interventions today). A final word…

Comparison between Primitive Healers, Psychiatrists and Psychologists: 

Comparison between Primitive Healers, Psychiatrists and Psychologists

Synergistic Model of Hypnotic Behavior and Experience(Laurence, 1991) : 

Synergistic Model of Hypnotic Behavior and Experience (Laurence, 1991)