lecture 9: hypnosis

Who discovered mesmerization and when?

Franz Mesmer in the 1770s.

Who coined the term "hypnosis" and in what year?

James Braid in 1840.

Who conducted the first systematic research on hypnosis, and what did they study?

Clark Hull in the 1930s; studied the use of hypnosis in surgeries and its role in psychopathology.

What are the two parts of hypnosis?

Procedure and suggestion.

What happens in the procedure part of hypnosis?

The person is guided through relaxation techniques and focused attention to reach a calm, receptive state.

What happens in the suggestion part of hypnosis?

The person receives suggestions that alter their thoughts, perceptions, and experiences.

How can hypnosis affect the body?

It can alter sensations and potentially improve performance.

What is hypnotizability?

A person's propensity to be hypnotized.

Can everyone be hypnotized?

No, it only works on those who are receptive and open to suggestion.

What does a bi-modal distribution mean in hypnotizability?

People are either highly hypnotizable or not at all—it's not a normal bell-curve distribution.

Can hypnosis occur against your will?

No, it cannot happen against your will.

What are some perceptual distortions that can occur during hypnosis?

Hallucinations, delusions, and hypnotic analgesia (pain relief).

What effects can hypnosis have after the session?

Post-hypnotic amnesia (forgetting what happened) and post-hypnotic suggestions (following suggestions later).

How can hypnosis be used in sports?

Reduce pain for rehabilitation

Treat psychological issues

Enhance performance

How does suggestion alone affect performance?

Negative suggestion worsens performance, while positive suggestion has variable effects.

Who benefits the most from hypnosis with suggestion?

People who are highly hypnotizable.

Can hypnosis improve performance for everyone?

No, only for those who are hypnotizable and receptive to the procedure.

How does the brain respond to hypnosis while imagining uphill vs. downhill movement?

Uphill: Increased brain activity, as if actually riding uphill.

Downhill: Reduced brain activity, mimicking real-life downhill riding.

What evidence supports that hypnosis changes brain activity?

When seeing gray but perceiving color, the brain's color-processing areas deactivate.

Under hypnosis, these same areas activate when told to see color in a gray image.

Why does hypnosis have its effects?

The person willingly follows the hypnotist's guidance.

Hypnosis induces a special state in the brain.

How does suggestion affect brain response in hypnosis?

It changes how the brain reacts to cues, influencing perception.

What is hypnosis?

A procedure, involving focused attention, relaxation, and imagery, in which changes in sensations, perceptions, and thoughts are suggested.