HypnosisHypnosis

C. Alexander Simpkins PhDAnnellen M. Simpkins PhD

C. Alexander Simpkins PhDAnnellen M. Simpkins PhD

What is Hypnosis?What is Hypnosis?

People have been asking this question since the time of the Greeks

The only thing everyone agrees on is that one definition of hypnosis has not been agreed on

The phenomena of hypnosis are subject to many variables that influence how they are responded to and expressed.

But thanks to more methods of examining hypnosis, including imaging the brain, we are learning more all the time!

People have been asking this question since the time of the Greeks

The only thing everyone agrees on is that one definition of hypnosis has not been agreed on

The phenomena of hypnosis are subject to many variables that influence how they are responded to and expressed.

But thanks to more methods of examining hypnosis, including imaging the brain, we are learning more all the time!

Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815)

Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815)

Viennese physician

Vital energy like magnetism that could be made to act on the human body.

It could be influenced by the practitioner to bring about cures of disease, both mental and physical

He came into conflict with the medical establishment because of his claims. Today we are revisiting magnetism without mysticism through treatment of conditions by magnetism

This slowed the initial progress of experimentation

Viennese physician

Vital energy like magnetism that could be made to act on the human body.

It could be influenced by the practitioner to bring about cures of disease, both mental and physical

He came into conflict with the medical establishment because of his claims. Today we are revisiting magnetism without mysticism through treatment of conditions by magnetism

This slowed the initial progress of experimentation

James Braid (1795-1860)

James Braid (1795-1860)

One of earliest researchers who altered the course that Mesmer had initiated

Medical doctor who gave hypnosis the name He believed Mesmer had made errors in how he conducted his experiments with patients

Used careful observation of individual subjects to demystify hypnosis and categorize its effects

For example, experiment with sharpening senses Hypnotized person, blindfolded, could locate someone in crowd with sense of smell

Developed the theory of hypnosis as focused attention, still an important view

One of earliest researchers who altered the course that Mesmer had initiated

Medical doctor who gave hypnosis the name He believed Mesmer had made errors in how he conducted his experiments with patients

Used careful observation of individual subjects to demystify hypnosis and categorize its effects

For example, experiment with sharpening senses Hypnotized person, blindfolded, could locate someone in crowd with sense of smell

Developed the theory of hypnosis as focused attention, still an important view

Jean Martin Charcot (1835-1893)

Jean Martin Charcot (1835-1893)

Some consider him the founder of neurology as distinct discipline

Created the Salpetriere School of Hypnosis

Scientific approach Used narrow subject pool: female patients with hysterical symptoms

Defined hypnosis as hysteria But did reveal a link between mental states and exhibited symptoms

Also gained acceptance by scientific community

Freud studied with Charcot and translated his writings

Some consider him the founder of neurology as distinct discipline

Created the Salpetriere School of Hypnosis

Scientific approach Used narrow subject pool: female patients with hysterical symptoms

Defined hypnosis as hysteria But did reveal a link between mental states and exhibited symptoms

Also gained acceptance by scientific community

Freud studied with Charcot and translated his writings

Charcot Examining a Brain

The Nancy SchoolThe Nancy School

Liebeault (1823-1904) Provided free medical hypnosis to thousands of people suffering from physical and mental conditions

Bernheim (1840-1919) Studied with Liebeault and developed the view that hypnosis is suggestion Suggestion is influence exerted by a suggested idea on the mind i.e. the ability to respond to an idea

Freud studied with Liebeault and Bernheim and translated Bernheim’s book, Hypnosis and Suggestion in Psychotherapy

Liebeault (1823-1904) Provided free medical hypnosis to thousands of people suffering from physical and mental conditions

Bernheim (1840-1919) Studied with Liebeault and developed the view that hypnosis is suggestion Suggestion is influence exerted by a suggested idea on the mind i.e. the ability to respond to an idea

Freud studied with Liebeault and Bernheim and translated Bernheim’s book, Hypnosis and Suggestion in Psychotherapy

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)

Ivan Pavlov (1849-1936)

Russian physiologist Studied hypnosis extensively Believed in the power of the word as a signal to bring about a response

Hypnosis became foundational in Russian psychology

He did careful neurological measurements Defined hypnosis as scattered sleep: excitation and inhibition

Russian physiologist Studied hypnosis extensively Believed in the power of the word as a signal to bring about a response

Hypnosis became foundational in Russian psychology

He did careful neurological measurements Defined hypnosis as scattered sleep: excitation and inhibition

First International Statistics of Susceptbility

First International Statistics of Susceptbility

Largest hypnosis study performed in 1892

8705 subjects15 countriesEach kept track of success in inductions

Measuring many aspects of susceptibility

Largest hypnosis study performed in 1892

8705 subjects15 countriesEach kept track of success in inductions

Measuring many aspects of susceptibility

1892 Study Findings1892 Study Findings Susceptibility Findings: 75% susceptible

25% Deep, 50%Moderate 25% Mildly No differences among different races or countries

No sex differences Children more susceptible More intelligent more susceptible More imaginative more susceptible This research dispelled myth that hypnosis is for the weak-minded

By 1888 there were more than 1172 books written on hypnosis and hundreds of studies

Susceptibility Findings: 75% susceptible 25% Deep, 50%Moderate 25% Mildly

No differences among different races or countries

No sex differences Children more susceptible More intelligent more susceptible More imaginative more susceptible This research dispelled myth that hypnosis is for the weak-minded

By 1888 there were more than 1172 books written on hypnosis and hundreds of studies

Other Important LabsOther Important Labs

Clark Hull (1884-1952) Lab at Yale Research applied John Stuart Mill’s method of difference comparing hypnotized and non-hypnotized

Tested hypnotic phenomena Used normal subjects Adapted the technology of his day inventively for experiments Measuring postural sway from suggestion with a simple sensor connected to the shoulder that reacted to movement and record it on paper

Clark Hull (1884-1952) Lab at Yale Research applied John Stuart Mill’s method of difference comparing hypnotized and non-hypnotized

Tested hypnotic phenomena Used normal subjects Adapted the technology of his day inventively for experiments Measuring postural sway from suggestion with a simple sensor connected to the shoulder that reacted to movement and record it on paper

Stanford LabStanford Lab

Ernest Hilgard (1904-2001) and Josephine Hilgard Researched using college students Did careful, scientific work Extensive work on many hypnotic phenomena

Found pain responses were there but subjects didn’t feel pain

Developed Stanford Susceptibility Scale Did much to promote respect for hypnosis

Firmly believed that through the study of hypnosis we could come to better understand such cognitive processes as attention, memory, learning, etc

Ernest Hilgard (1904-2001) and Josephine Hilgard Researched using college students Did careful, scientific work Extensive work on many hypnotic phenomena

Found pain responses were there but subjects didn’t feel pain

Developed Stanford Susceptibility Scale Did much to promote respect for hypnosis

Firmly believed that through the study of hypnosis we could come to better understand such cognitive processes as attention, memory, learning, etc

Ernest & Josephine Hilgard

Ernest & Josephine Hilgard

Milton H. Erickson (1904-1980)

Milton H. Erickson (1904-1980)

Dedicated to hypnosis his whole life Known for his clinical work but also a skilled researcher Developed naturalistic methods to study hypnosis unobtrusively as well as studying it in the lab

Early fruit study Concluded hypnosis takes place in the mind of the subject and the less the hypnotist interferes, the stronger the effects

Developed the indirect method of hypnosis

Dedicated to hypnosis his whole life Known for his clinical work but also a skilled researcher Developed naturalistic methods to study hypnosis unobtrusively as well as studying it in the lab

Early fruit study Concluded hypnosis takes place in the mind of the subject and the less the hypnotist interferes, the stronger the effects

Developed the indirect method of hypnosis

Milton H. Erickson MDMilton H. Erickson MD

Theories of HypnosisTheories of Hypnosis

Many theories

Each has some merit

Think of them as models that can be useful

Only problem when a theory is a “nothing but” theory House analogy

Many theories

Each has some merit

Think of them as models that can be useful

Only problem when a theory is a “nothing but” theory House analogy

Theories of HypnosisTheories of Hypnosis

Fixation of Attention On one idea with monotony

Partial Sleep Scattered inhibition and excitation

Suggestibility Response to the idea Ideodynamic processes

Neo-Dissociation Reduction of executive control by consciousness

Social-Role Theory Role playing Expectancies

Altered State of Consciousness Trance or alteration of consciousness

Unconscious functioning Literalness because not thinking about them--just thinking them

Fixation of Attention On one idea with monotony

Partial Sleep Scattered inhibition and excitation

Suggestibility Response to the idea Ideodynamic processes

Neo-Dissociation Reduction of executive control by consciousness

Social-Role Theory Role playing Expectancies

Altered State of Consciousness Trance or alteration of consciousness

Unconscious functioning Literalness because not thinking about them--just thinking them

Experimental HypnosisExperimental Hypnosis

To capture it well, must respect the phenomena being studied

Research needs to use the same procedures for all subjects As a result, may be using crude procedures

People respond differently Fails to take enough time to induce a good trance People vary

May not distinguish between induction and utilization

To capture it well, must respect the phenomena being studied

Research needs to use the same procedures for all subjects As a result, may be using crude procedures

People respond differently Fails to take enough time to induce a good trance People vary

May not distinguish between induction and utilization

Clinical HypnosisClinical Hypnosis

Distinguishes induction and utilization Take time to learn how to go into trance Then use it for change

Direct vs Indirect Pain relief

Vast research on applications for purposes Obstetrics, anxiety, pain control, depression, fears, habit control, moods to name a few

Distinguishes induction and utilization Take time to learn how to go into trance Then use it for change

Direct vs Indirect Pain relief

Vast research on applications for purposes Obstetrics, anxiety, pain control, depression, fears, habit control, moods to name a few

Research Project to Test Indirect

Research Project to Test Indirect

Compared Hypnosis using Ericksonian Therapy (ET) & Brief Dynamic Therapy (BDT) Simpkins & Simpkins, 2008

Comparison study of two very different approaches to brief therapy ET: no direct discussion of problem BDT: Discussion and analysis of problem

Compared Hypnosis using Ericksonian Therapy (ET) & Brief Dynamic Therapy (BDT) Simpkins & Simpkins, 2008

Comparison study of two very different approaches to brief therapy ET: no direct discussion of problem BDT: Discussion and analysis of problem

Research ContinuedResearch Continued

2 Groups: ET & BDT 4 Tests: for 4 dimensions

1-CPSAS - Social/interpersonal 2-HSCL- Internal/experiential 3-TC - Target complaint 4-GI - Global improvement

Results Both methods equally effective for changing the target complaint

2 Groups: ET & BDT 4 Tests: for 4 dimensions

1-CPSAS - Social/interpersonal 2-HSCL- Internal/experiential 3-TC - Target complaint 4-GI - Global improvement

Results Both methods equally effective for changing the target complaint

Implications of Results

Implications of Results

Not always necessary to address a problem directly in order to resolve it

Indirect hypnosis activate inner processes for specific as well as nonspecific changes

Not always necessary to address a problem directly in order to resolve it

Indirect hypnosis activate inner processes for specific as well as nonspecific changes

Clinical Hypnosis involves RelationshipClinical Hypnosis

involves Relationship Although takes place in the mind of the subject, it is best activated through a trusting relationship Don’t usually follow advice from someone you mistrust

In self-hypnosis, learn to trust one’s own inner self When people have problems, sometimes mistrust self sometimes for good reason

Learn through self-hypnosis to know when to trust and how to develop inner capacities

Although takes place in the mind of the subject, it is best activated through a trusting relationship Don’t usually follow advice from someone you mistrust

In self-hypnosis, learn to trust one’s own inner self When people have problems, sometimes mistrust self sometimes for good reason

Learn through self-hypnosis to know when to trust and how to develop inner capacities

Learning to Experience Hypnosis

Learning to Experience Hypnosis

Open attitude Curiosity Allowing responsiveness

May be subtle Like flickers between boxcars of a passing train

Utilizing the natural abilities you have and building on them

Relax and enjoy!

Open attitude Curiosity Allowing responsiveness

May be subtle Like flickers between boxcars of a passing train

Utilizing the natural abilities you have and building on them

Relax and enjoy!