Hypnosis/%20Dreaming

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Hypnosis/ Dreaming
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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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?

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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

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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