Hypnosis/ Dreaming

1. Hypnosis/ Dreaming

2. Hypnosis • Roots tied to Franz Anton Mesmer in 18th century • Mesmer believed he harnessed “animal magnetism” • Example: • Merely stumbled upon suggestion, or “mesmerism” • James Braid- 1843 • Popularized term • Interested in trancelike state that could be induced by mesmerists • Thought it could be used as anesthesia

3. Hypnotic Induction and Phenomena • Hypnosis – Systematic procedure that typically produces a heightened state of suggestion • General procedure: • Usually, hypnotist suggests to subject that he or she relaxes • Hypnotist speaks softly telling them they are getting sleepy • Gradually, most subjects succumb and become hypnotized • Can everyone be hypnotized? • 10% of population do not respond at all • 10% exceptionally good subjects

4. Effects of hypnosis • 1.) Anesthesia – Hypnosis can be surprisingly effective in treatment of acute and chronic pain • Not widely used • 2.) Sensory Distortions and Hallucinations – Subjects may be led to experience auditory or visual hallucinations • Ex.) sounds or smells not actually present

5. Effects of Hypnosis • 3.) Disinhibition- Hypnosis can sometimes reduce inhibitions that would normally prevent people from acting in ways they see as immoral or unacceptable • Ex.) some hypnotists get subjects to disrobe in public • 4.) Posthypnotic Suggestions and Amnesia – Suggestions made during hypnosis can influence later behavior • Ex.) posthypnotic amnesia

6. Theories of Hypnosis • 1.) Hypnosis as Role Playing • Researchers find no physiological changes during hypnosis • Some conclude suggestible people merely act out role of hypnotized subject • 2.) Hypnosis as Altered State of Consciousness • Effects attributed to special, altered state of consciousness • Some feel it is doubtful role playing can explain everything • Unlikely patients would endure surgery acting out role of hypnotized person • New research indicates changes in brain activity

7. Reality of Hypnosis • 1.) Subjects are capable of saying no or terminating hypnosis • 2.) Hypnosis does not necessarily cause people to remember more accurately • 3.) Hypnotic suggestions can not enable people to perform otherwise impossible feats of strength, endurance, or mental acuity.

8. Dreams • Researchers conclude most dreams are relatively mundane • Humans just more likely to remember more bizarre dreams • Dreams are usually self-centered • We dream about selves • People dream about what is going on in own lives • Examples • Recent study suggests people may dream about matters they wish to forget • What did researchers do?

9. Culture and Dreams • Western cultures largely write off dreams as meaningless and insignificant • Many Non-Western cultures • Dreams are important sources of info about oneself, future, or the spiritual world. • Some cultures view dream events as another type of reality that may be just as important • Ex.) New Guinea Arapesh • Some basic dream themes are universal • Falling, being pursued, having sex

10. Theories of Dreaming • 1.) Sigmund Freud • Wish fulfillment - People fill ungratified needs during dreams • Ex.) • 2.) Problem Solving View- Dreams allow us to engage in creative thinking about problems • Dreams not restrained by logic or realism • 3.) Activation Synthesis – Dreams are side effects of neural activation • A story is created to make sense of neural signals