Concept introduction
Different theories and research have been published to support as well as negate the idea that hypnosis is a unique state of consciousness.
Explanation of Solution
The social-cognitive view of hypnosis states that people respond to suggestions based on what is expected of them. Researcher Nicholas Spanos and his colleagues supported this theory with their research, which showed that motivated subjects who pretended to be hypnotized had similar results to hypnotized subjects. Such research lends support to the idea that hypnosis is not a unique state of consciousness, but rather a specialized response to social demands. However, other researchers have conducted studies that do support the notion of hypnosis as a unique state of consciousness. For example, brain imaging studies have shown that hypnosis alters brain function. For example, regions of the brain were activated based on what they were hypnotized to see, rather than what their eyes were physically seeing (see page 159). Wayne Braffman and Irving Kirsch land somewhere between the two sides. They suggest that individuals differ in their ability to experience imaginary states. Hypnosis is one method, but there are also others. Recall that 15% of people are described as highly susceptible to hypnosis and 10% are difficult or impossible to hypnotize. Different psychologists have different theories, and research to support them. With research support from different sides, it becomes difficult to say with certainty that hypnosis is or is not a unique state. Instead, it is important to consider people’s individual differences and to follow ongoing research in this area.
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