Consciousness - hypnosis

Franze Anton Mesmer

magnetic force therapy: applying magnetic fields to the body to relieve pain, etc.

• patients knew what was expected to occur - placebo effect

Puysegur

thought people could be treated by placing them in a relaxed sleep-like state

Braid

surgeon who wanted to develop an anesthetic

• fixation technique, neuro-hypnology (hypnosis)

• lamaze method of childbirth

hypnosis

a willing and cooperative state in which you relinquish control of your behavior to the hypnotist and accept some sort of distortion reality

Hypnosis study: Orne and Evans

hypnotized individuals would commit dangerous acts, but people told to pretend they were hypnotized committed the same acts

physiological effects of hypnosis:

• eegs show that you’re in a relaxed awake state

• normal heart rate, breathing

behavioral effects of hypnosis:

• involves overly-focused attention

• sensory input not blocked (still see, smell, feel pain)

two components of hypnotic susceptibility

• suggestibility - an individual’s capacity to respond to suggestions

• absorption - a tendency to fully engage in experiences