Chapter 5: Variations of consciousness(3) Flashcards
Define hypnosis.
Hypnosis is a systematic procedure that typically produces a heightened state of suggestibility.
What are the effects can be produced in people who are susceptible to hypnosis?
- Anesthesia
- Sensory distortions and hallucinations: Hypnotized participants may be led to experience auditory or visual hallucinations
- Disinhibition (doing things they normally would consider unacceptable)
- Posthypnotic suggestions and amnesia
(CS)
What is a popular view of hypnosis?
One popular view is that hypnotic effects occur because participants are put into a special, altered state of consciousness, called a hypnotic trance.
What are the two theories of hypnosis?
- Social cognitive theory of hypnosis: Hypnosis as role-playing.
- Hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness.
Explain the social cognitive theory of hypnosis.
According to this notion, hypnosis is not the result of a person being in a “trance” but rather results from normal everyday processes including an individual’s
expectations and attitudes.
Thus, it is the participants’ role expectations that produce hypnotic effects.
Explain hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness.
Theorists still maintain that hypnotic effects are attributable to a special, altered state of consciousness.
These theorists argue that it is doubtful that role-playing can explain all hypnotic phenomena.
What is the most influential explanation of hypnosis as an altered state of awareness?
The most influential explanation of hypnosis as an altered state of awareness has been offered by Ernest Hilgard. According to Hilgard, hypnosis creates a dissociation in consciousness.
In other words, Hilgard theorizes that hypnosis splits consciousness into two streams. One stream is in communication
with the hypnotist and the external world, whereas the other is a difficult-to-detect “hidden observer.”
Define dissociation.
Dissociation is a splitting off of mental processes into two separate, simultaneous streams of awareness.
Define meditation and what are the practised approaches?
Meditation refers to a family of practices that train attention to heighten awareness and bring mental processes under greater voluntary control.
The practised approaches are those associated with yoga, Zen, and transcendental meditation.
How can the approaches to meditation be classifed?
focused attention or open monitoring
What is the focused attention approach?
In focused attention approaches, attention is concentrated on a specific object, image, sound, or bodily sensation (such as breathing).
The intent in narrowing attention is to clear the mind of its clutter.
Explain the open monitoring approach.
In open monitoring approaches, attention is directed to the contents of one’s moment-to-moment experience in a nonjudgmental and nonreactive way.
The intent is expanding attention is to become a detached observer of the flow of one’s own sensations, thoughts, and feelings.
Which meditation incorporates elements of focused attention and open monitoring approaches?
Lovingkindness meditation incorporates elements of both focused attention and open monitoring approaches.
Explain the loving-kindness meditation.
The focus of loving-kindness is first developing love and compassion for oneself and then broaden this love to more “unlikeable” others.
What are the meditative disciplines that have received the most research attention?
The meditative disciplines that have received the most research attention are TM and mindfulness meditation.
