Kelly Carl-Clayton

1/28/2015
Psychology 211

Acting As If You Are Hypnotized

The altered states of consciousness we are most familiar with are sleep
and fantasizing. Another type of altered state of consciousness is hypnosis.
Most people look at hypnosis as being under someone elses power and
being powerless. This is a way of managing someone elses mind. The words
that are most use to describe this altered state of mind are called hypnosis.
Hypnosis is thought to be a unique state of awareness, it is different from
both awake and asleep. The research question is does being hypnotized work
or not?
Ernest Hilgard was at the front of modern researchers who the people
that believed in hypnosis or altered psychological state, (Hock 57). They
believed that hypnosis and an analgesia together lowered the sensitivity to
pain. Some of the researchers thought that hypnotizing patients was the
way to go ,but the person them self has to believe in their hypnosis from
increased motivation and, People though that it was an altered state of
consciousness. Spanos, Nicholas Thoughts were it was if all the normal
abilities of humans, He determined that the only reason people define
themselves as being under hypnosis consistent with their expectations about

being hypnotized. The patients hoped and expected to gain control their
behavior.
Spent nearly a decade of research prior to this 1982 article, showing
how many effects were commonly to hypnosis that could be seen. Hypnosis
was seen to be as a less of mysterious ways. It did not report on one
experiment but summarizes group studies. So is the belief that behavior is
Involuntary true? So does hypnosis really working or is it in the thoughts of a
persons mind?
As the persons was being hypnotized they were asked to take various
test to determine if a hypnotic state has been induced. The test was carried
out in a way that caused the persons to convince themselves that it worked.
Ernest Hilgard then asked them to explain their action as having occurred
involuntarily. Some of the persons failed completely and did not respond to
the suggestion at all. Spanos believed that some of the people may become
absorbed in an imginary strategies more than others. And his reasoning was
that if you are highly absorbed, in something you will not be able to face that
the fantasy is not real (Hock 59).
The most important question of all the findings and the reports, Is do
we believe the phenomenon called hypnosis? We should remember that
Spanos goal was not to prove that hypnosis does not exist but, rather to
show that what we call hypnotic behaviors are the results of highly
motivated, goal- directed social behavior, and not really an altered or unique

state of consciousness. One reason that there is such a widespread and

unquestioning acceptance is the hypnotic trance is that people need to feel
that there is a way out when they are looking for one. And that there is to be
used as the last resort if all else fails. Clearly the debate goes on. Spanos
work on hypnosis has changed psychology in that he offered on
experimentally. It has been proven that hypnosis is no more effective than
other method of treatments for treating alcohol abuse and tobacco or to
improve of their memory or loss of weight. So the question is if you were
given a chance would you agree to be hypnotized or not?
The research findings are important so that you can make up your
mind if this is the right therapy or not. The information given to the people
should help make up their mind if it would work for their needs or not for
you. Only 80 percent of all people can be hypnotized, and only 40 percent of
people are good hypnotized subjects, the best people are the ones that who
can fantasize. As well as people who get really into whatever task they are
doing are more susceptable. People how do lot of day dream and have vivid
imaginations. Another study cited Spanos thoughts on hypnosis to question
certain therapeutic practices often employed by some psychotherapist to
induce clients to go through their recovery.
It is true that people can be hypnotized into doing things that they
would not normal do. It can work for you if you want it to work and if you
believe in it. The books, movies, and the television have people believing
that when being hypnotized, people act involuntarily. People can be

hypnotized only when their willing to be hypnotized, people cant be

hypnotized against their own will. The fact is that the hypnotized person is
really the one that is in control. Learning more about hypnosis was an eye
opener for me. I have always thought about using hypnosis to help with my
weight control. I now know hypnosis only works if I would allow it to work
and, that you need to have put some work into to make it work for you.
Work Cited:
Hock, Roger, Forty Studies That Changed Psychology: Seventh Edition,
Copyright: 2013, Pearson: Boston page 57-64
Ciccarelli, Sandra, and Noland J. White, Psychology: Boston Person: print:
2013
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