Lecture 7

Question 1

What is hypnosis?

Answer 1

An altered state of awareness resulting in physical or physiological changes, where there may be a distortion of emotion, sensation, image and time (Waxman, 1981).
- critical powers decrease and suggestibility increases

Question 2

Main changes in hypnotising someone

Answer 2

redistributed attention, enhanced ability to fantasize, increased role taking, reduce reality testing.

Question 3

What is the surrounding misconception of hypnosis

Answer 3

that is is sleep. Alpha waves are produced meaning the subject is awake. Sleep would induce delta waves.

Question 4

Is a person in a hypnotic state suggestible to anything?

Answer 4

No, anything that is against their moral values, they will not do (they will wake up). Unless they are predisposed to it, such as committing murder if you have murderous intent in their personality.

Question 5

What are some different hypnotisability tests?

Answer 5

Eye roll test

backwards falling test and hand-clasp test. 2

Question 6

What does the eye roll test entail?

Answer 6

Looking to the top of your head and then subsequently closing your eyes. 85% successful with good subjects.

Question 7

What does the backwards falling test entail?

Answer 7

Hypnotist is standing behind subject counting from 1-10. i.e 1 your’re beginning to fall backwards, 2 you are falling further. Easier they fall, easier their susceptibility.

Question 8

What does the hand clasp test entail?

Answer 8

Involved clasping hands firmly together and interlocked slightly above eye level. Hypnotist counts backwards from 10-0, each number gripping your hands tighter and tighter. At 0, good subjects find it nearly impossible to unclasp their fingers.

Question 9

Hypnoidal Trance

Answer 9

Achieved by everyone, lightest state of trance,. might occur when your are absorbed in a novel or relaxing.

Question 10

Light trance

Answer 10

achieved by 95% of people. Evident when the person cannot open eyes when told they will not be able to,, shallow and slow breathing, and immobility of the limbs,.

Question 11

Medium trance

Answer 11

achievable by 70% of people. Similar to light trance, but subject can usually be manipulated and left in certain positions and hands can be made to lose feeling.

Question 12

Deep trance

Answer 12

achievable by 25% of people. Where people can hallucinate and suggestions are more powerful. Person can open their eyes without effecting their trance.

Question 13

Somnambulism

Answer 13

Achievable by 2% of people. People in this stage can walk around and talk whilst in hypnotic state. Person who reaches this level will have no memory of what they did when they wake from the hypnotic state.

Question 14

What is the ‘role theory’ of hypnosis? non state theory

Answer 14

A person simply plays the role of the hypnotic subject and follows instructions, cooperating with the hypnotist.

Question 15

What is Hilgard’s dissociation theory? state theory

Answer 15

Hyponotised people experience an altered state of consciousness. Compliance with the social role. There is also real change in mental processes.

Question 16

What are the 5 main changes people display during hypnosis? (Hilgard)

Answer 16

Reduced planfulness, redistributed attention, increased ability to fantasise , increased role taking, reduced reality testing.

Question 17

What do the biological actions of the drugs induce?

Answer 17

They will either act as an agonist (mimic neurotransmitter) or antagonist (preventing neurotransmitters from binding with receptor and inhibit neurotransmitter activity, Then subsequent experience.

Question 18

Are drug effects determined by biochemistry alone?

Answer 18

No, the underlying expectation of an experience can also play a role. ‘Placebo’ trials where individuals have experienced the same sorta thing.

Question 19

What is addiction?

Answer 19

Functional impairment to prevent the onset of withdrawal symptoms

Question 20

What are CNS depressant drugs and what do they do?

Answer 20

Reduces or depresses CNS activity partly by increasing activity of GABA, an inhibitory transmitter. Induces relaxation, drowsiness, depression. Alcohol, barbiturates, gamma Hydroxybutyrate (GHB)

Question 21

Amphetamines

Answer 21

Uppers/speed. Increased release of norepinephrine and dopamine (and decreases removal of these two). Decreases GABA activity.

Question 22

Cocaine

Answer 22

Increases Increased norepinephrine and dopamine, however effects are short lived hence addictive nature.

Question 23

Nicotine

Answer 23

Enhances the action of acetylcholine, increases the release of glutemate, activates dopamine related pleasure system, and stimulates endogenous cannabinoid and opioid systems.

Question 24

MDMA

Answer 24

serotonin agonist and increases activity of dopamine neurons. Positive effects decrease with continued use and negative effects persist/exacerbate.

Question 25

LSD

Answer 25

Stimulates serotonin receptors in the forebrain. Paranoia, panic attacks and flashbacks.

Question 26

Ketamine

Answer 26

Causes dissociative feelings that people decribe as “out of body”. Anaesthetic for critically ill patients or from suppressing dangerous seizures.

Question 27

Marijuana

Answer 27

THC alters blood flow to many regions. Induces restlessness, hilarity followed by carefree relaxation, vivid sensations, food cravings.

Question 28

Marijuana and Psychosis

Answer 28

Definite association between the use of cannabis and incidence of psychosis. Little research has been done to exhibit causal relationship.

Question 29

What are the predisposing factors in addiction?

Answer 29

Genetics, social factors (peer pressure, learning, advertising) , personality factors (sensation seeking, neuroticism, rebelliousness).