Discuss the two theories of hypnosis, including Hilgard's demonstration involving a painful bath of ice water; and describe what effect(s) hypnosis has on the following areas: physical strength, memory, amnesia, pain relief, age regression, and sensory changes

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Answer will include that one theory of hypnosis is that it is an altered state of consciousness, characterized by narrowed attention and an increased openness to suggestion. This is the best-known state theory of hypnosis proposed by Ernest Hilgard. He argued that hypnosis causes a dissociative state, or "split" in awareness. To illustrate, he asked hypnotized subjects to plunge one hand into a painful bath of ice water. Subjects told to feel no pain said they felt none. The same subjects were then asked if there was any part of their mind that did feel pain. With their free hand, many wrote, "It hurts," or "Stop it, you're hurting me," while they continued to act pain free. Thus, one part of the hypnotized person says there is no pain and acts as if the other part, which Hilgard calls the hidden observer, is aware of the pain but remains in the background. The hidden observer is a detached part of the hypnotized person's awareness that silently observes events. In contrast, nonstate theorists argue that hypnosis is not a distinct state at all. Instead it is merely a blend of conformity, relaxation, imagination, obedience, and role-playing. For example, many theorists believe that all hypnosis is really self-hypnosis (autosuggestion). From this perspective, a hypnotist merely helps another person to follow a series of suggestions. These suggestions, in turn, alter sensations, perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Regarding the effects of hypnosis, hypnosis has no more effect on physical strength than instructions that encourage a person to make his or her best effort. There is some evidence that hypnosis can enhance memory. However, it frequently increases the number of false memories as well. For this reason, many states now bar persons from testifying in court if they were hypnotized to improve their memory of a crime they witnessed. A person told not to remember something heard during hypnosis may claim not to remember, but this may be nothing more than a deliberate attempt to avoid thinking about specific ideas. However, brief memory loss of this type actually does seem to occur. Hypnosis can relieve pain and is especially useful when chemical painkillers are ineffective, such as with phantom limb pain. Given the proper suggestions, some hypnotized people appear to "regress" to childhood. However, most theories now believe that "age-regressed" subjects are only acting out a suggested role. Hypnotic suggestions concerning sensations are among the most effective. It is possible to alter color vision, hearing sensitivity, time sense, perception of illusions, and smell.