Hypnotism
Scientists have
shown that hypnosis is a natural part of human behavior that affects
psychological, social, and physical experience. There is no magic connected with
hypnotism, and the hypnotist has no special power. The effects of hypnotism
depend on the willingness and motivation of the person being hypnotized. In
hypnosis, a change in the quality and focus of a person's attention alters his
or her internal and external experience.
Hypnosis has been compared to dreaming and sleepwalking. The term hypnosis comes
from the Greek word hypnos, which means sleep. However, hypnosis is not actually
related to sleep. It involves a more active and intense mental concentration.
Hypnotized people can talk, write, and walk about. They are usually fully aware
of what is said and done.
As the person
responds to the methods, the person's state of attention changes. This altered
state often leads to various other changes or phenomena. For example, the person
may experience different levels of awareness, consciousness, imagination,
memory, and reasoning or become more responsive to suggestions. Additional
phenomena may be produced or eliminated. Such phenomena may include sensations,
blushing, sweating, paralysis, tensing of muscles, and anesthesia (loss of pain
sensation). Scientists have shown that changes in almost every body function and
system may occur with hypnosis.
None of the experiences of hypnosis are unique. Some or all of the phenomena can
occur without the use of hypnotic techniques. For example, people who are very
responsive to hypnosis show an increased responsiveness to suggestions before
they are hypnotized. This responsiveness increases during hypnotism.
People once believed that hypnotists could force their subjects to perform
criminal acts or other actions against the subjects' will. There is no clear
evidence to show that hypnosis causes such behavior. Hypnotized people can and
do resist suggestions. They do not lose control of their actions and can
distinguish between right and wrong.
Public performances of hypnotism are responsible for many popular misconceptions
about hypnosis. Many people are first exposed to hypnotism through a magic show
or a film. Such presentations often make hypnotism appear simple. They may tempt
untrained people to try to perform hypnotism on themselves or on other people.
