PY4 - Hypnosis Flashcards
Define hypnosis.
The induction of an altered state on consciousness in which a person apparently loses voluntary action and is highly responsive to suggestion or direction.
What do state theories suggest about hypnosis?
That a special state is induced by the hypnotic procedure.
Who was the neodissociationist view suggested by and what does it believe?
Hilgard: Hypnosis causes a dissociation of cognitive functions.
What is the ‘hidden observer’?
A part of the brain that is still aware during hypnosis, however has no control over what happens.
What did Peruguini find when researching hypnosis?
He asked a control and hypnotised group to pretend to stroke a cat. He found that when they were left alone in a room they would continue to stroke the cat if hypnotised even though they didn’t know that they were being watched.
What happened in Hilgard’s gunshot study? What are two issues with the study?
He told a hypnotised subject that they were deaf then fired a starting pistol. They didn’t flinch when the shot was fired although the audience did. Two criticisms of this research is that there was only one participant used and he was Hilgard’s own student.
How do non-state theories explain hypnosis?
Can be explained by other psychological processes such as social factors.
How is hypnosis explained with compliance?
People conform to being hypnotised to avoid embarrassment.
How is hypnosis explained with obedience?
Obeying the perceived authority of the hypnotist.
How is hypnosis explained with demand characteristics?
The subject wants to please the hypnotist so pretends to be hypnotised to make them happy.
Give 2 supporting factors for non-state theories of hypnosis?
Spanos: motivated people (apple/onion)
Barber: Hypnotism can be imitated
What are 3 contradicting factors for non-state theories of hypnosis?
Doesn’t explain analgesia in hypno-surgery
Noone has ever admitted to pretending to be hypnotised.
Brain scan evidence shows that different parts of the brain are active during hypnosis
