Question

Steven goes to a hypnotism show with his friend Missy and is chosen to be brought on stage to be hypnotized. Missy believes in the dissociation theory of hypnosis, so she thinks that when Steven is hypnotized he will a. only pretend to act how a hypnotized person should act b. NOT be able to experience hypnotic analgesia c. actually be in a trancelike state where he can't access his conscious awareness d. experience flow

Short answer

Missy believes in the dissociation theory of hypnosis, so when Steven is hypnotized, she thinks he will actually be in a trancelike state where he can't access his conscious awareness (option c).

Step-by-step solution

Understanding the dissociation theory of hypnosis

Dissociation theory of hypnosis suggests that hypnosis is a trancelike state where the person is separated from his or her conscious awareness, allowing the hypnotized person to experience things differently (e.g., hypnotic analgesia). It rejects the idea that hypnosis is just pretending to follow commands or not being able to experience specific states.

Go through the options and choose the one that fits dissociation theory of hypnosis

Let's analyze each option: a. only pretend to act how a hypnotized person should act - This option implies that Steven is faking the hypnosis experience, which does not align with the dissociation theory. b. NOT be able to experience hypnotic analgesia - The dissociation theory posits that a person can have different experiences while hypnotized, such as hypnotic analgesia. Therefore, this option is not correct. c. actually be in a trancelike state where he can't access his conscious awareness - This option accurately describes the dissociation theory, as it states that a person is in a trancelike state separated from their conscious awareness. This is the correct answer. d. experience flow - Although being in a "flow" state can be related to focused attention and can be positively experienced, it does not specifically relate to the dissociation theory of hypnosis.

Identify the correct answer

Based on our analysis, the correct answer is: c. actually be in a trancelike state where he can't access his conscious awareness

Key concepts

Hypnotic Analgesia

Hypnotic analgesia refers to the reduction or elimination of pain sensation in an individual through the use of hypnosis. This concept is particularly important in demonstrating the influence of mental states on physical sensations and pain perception.

During the hypnotic process, a person's focus is redirected away from the pain stimulus, which often leads to a change in the perception of pain. It's not that the physical sensation is blocked, but rather the interpretation of the sensory information is altered. Researchers suggest that in the hypnotized state, neural activity in regions of the brain responsible for pain perception can actually be modulated.

This phenomenon has been effectively used in various medical procedures as a complementary approach to anesthesia, enabling patients to undergo surgeries with less or no pharmacological pain relief and exhibiting fewer side effects.

Trancelike State

The trancelike state is a core concept in understanding hypnosis. It is characterized by a focused state of attention, heightened suggestibility, and deep relaxation. While in this state, individuals may appear to be zoned out or detached from their immediate surroundings, but they're actually experiencing a shift in their subjective state of consciousness.

The trancelike state is akin to being absorbed in a good book or movie, where the rest of the world seems to fade away. In hypnosis, this is induced intentionally to facilitate therapeutic goals or specific tasks. The hypnotized person is not asleep but in an altered state of awareness where they can concentrate intensely on a specific thought, memory, feeling, or sensation while blocking out distractions.

Conscious Awareness

Conscious awareness is the mental state in which we are fully attentive and aware of our thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. It is our day-to-day consciousness, where we make decisions, analyze situations, and interact with the world.

In the context of hypnosis, conscious awareness is thought to be subdued or split. Through dissociation theory, a part of an individual's consciousness is proposed to detach from the whole, creating a situation where the conscious mind takes a backseat to the subconscious mind. This allows for changes in perception and behavior that wouldn't easily occur in a typical state of awareness, making a person more receptive to suggestions and potentially experiencing things like hypnotic analgesia without the overlay of analytical thought.

Psychology of Hypnotism

The psychology of hypnotism delves into how and why hypnosis affects the mind and behavior. It involves understanding the mechanisms behind the hypnotic state, its applications, and its influence on memory, perception, and pain management.

Scientists and psychologists have debated various theories of hypnosis, including state theories, which argue hypnosis is a unique state of consciousness, and non-state theories, advocating it's more about a person's expectations and social interactions. However, dissociation theory, which sees hypnosis as a literal division of consciousness, has been influential in explaining certain phenomena of hypnosis, like the presence of hypnotic analgesia or the trancelike state, challenging the notion that hypnotic effects are due purely to the placebo effect or social compliance.