Theories of Hypnosis Flashcards
What is a theory, what does it do?
Theories summarize current knowledge but must be supported by evidence not just beliefs
What are the qualities of good theory?
Theories are short-lived and made to be abandoned,
modified and/or updated.
Stagnant theories are similar to beliefs and should be discarded
A theory must generate new research
either to validate it, complete it or contradict it
What kind of theories have been proposed?
Experimental – stemming from research
Clinical – stemming from clinical practice
What are the three main explanations for how hypnosis works?
Dissociation theories (state hypothesis)
- Neo-dissociation theory
- Dissociated control theory
Social Cognitive theories (non-state hypothesis)
Synergistic model (Integrative) (non-state hypothesis)
What did Ernest Hilgard argue about cognition?
Hilgard argued that cognition involves multiple systems of control which are not all conscious at the same time and that these systems are controlled and motivated by a central ‘executive ego’. Hypnosis dissociates (or isolates) the Executive Ego, so that it is under direct control of the hypnotist and therefore they have access to the various subsidiary control systems. Hypnosis creates a division of of awareness in which a person simultaneously experiences two streams of consciousness that are cut off from one another. One stream responds to the hypnotist’s suggestions, while the second stream remains a hidden observer of everything that occurs. This is why hypnosis feels involuntary.
What are the limitations to Hilgard’s theory?
only 50% of high hypnotizables demonstrate the H.O.
simulators also give evidence of the hidden observer that is, simulators pick up their cues from the hypnotist
Where do state theories come from?
State theories stemmed from Charcot’s view of hypnosis
as a pathological phenomenon
Many contemporary state theories still view hypnotizability as a malfunction of some sort or as hypnosis triggering some form of malfunction
What do social-cognitive state theorists believe?
They do not claim that hypnotized people are ‘pretending’ or faking
They argue that hypnotic experiences result from beliefs and expectations of people motivated to take on the role of being “hypnotized”
Subjects develop a perceptual set; a readiness to respond to suggestions and to perceive hypnotic experiences as real and involuntary
Expectations can influence behaviour without conscious awareness (ex. placebo effects etc.)
What does social psychology tell us and how does this explain hypnotic phenomena?
Social context affects us more than we typically believe it will. So we attribute the effect to something else.
Hypnosis is a social influence situation in which we mis-attribute our actions to hypnosis - not the social demands per se or even ourselves
=>Hence the feeling of involuntariness
=>There is no special state of hypnosis, nor any special process involved in hypnotic responding
Subjects simply perform as they believe a good subject should perform (NB: Does not necessarily mean subjects are just complying: role enactment leads to believed-in imagining)
What is the synergistic model? (Neuro-Cognitive contextual model)
Behaviours and experiences are shaped by contexts (hypnosis) and abilities
Involuntariness is a consequence of automaticity of processing and, expectations and beliefs
What are Simulators?
Lows (low susceptibility subjects) asked to fool the hypnotist into believing they are highs
Simulators will often overplay their roles compared to real subjects
If the suggestions are plausible they respond in line with what they believe a good hypnotic subject will do
What are most theories of hypnosis based on?
Basic attentional, cognitive and social-psychological factors
What are the characteristics of a state theory?
Hypnotic inductions produce an altered state of consciousness.
Hypnotic ‘trance’ is associated with an altered state of brain function.
Responses to hypnotic suggestions are a result of special processes such as dissociation or other altered states of consciousness.
Hypnotizability is remarkably stable over long periods.
What are the characteristics of a non-state theory?
Participants respond to suggestion almost as well without hypnosis.
Participants in hypnosis experiments are actively engaged.
Responses to suggestions are a product of normal psychological processes such as attitudes, expectations and motivation.
Suggestibility can be modified with drugs or psychological procedures.
What does the dissociative control theory propose?
Hypnotic induction weakens the Executive Ego so that the control structures are directly affected by hypnotic suggestions.
