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What Other Forms Can
Consciousness Take?
An altered state of
consciousness occurs when
some aspect of normal
consciousness is modified
by mental, behavioral, or
chemical means
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon
2007
What Other Forms Can
Consciousness Take?
• Hypnosis
• Meditation
• Psychoactive drug states
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Hypnosis
• Hypnosis
• An induced state of altered awareness,
characterized by heightened suggestibility
and deep relaxation
Hypnotizability
The degree to which an individual is responsive
to hypnotic suggestions
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Is Hypnosis …
1. a distinct state of consciousness?
2. simply heightened motivation?
People are ‘hypnotized’ because they want to be
or expect to be
3. a social process?
Role playing to please others or the instructor
4. a dissociative state involving a “hidden observer” in
the person’s mind
The Hidden Observer is the part of the self that is aware
of things outside conscious awareness.
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Hilgard’s Hidden Observer Theory
•
•
•
•
Hypnosis is a dissociated state
involving a “hidden observer” in
a person’s mind operating in
parallel with the normal consciousness
• Hilgard called the unhypnotized part of the
mind the "hidden observer".
• He argued, a person undergoing hypnosis to manage chronic
pain feels no conscious pain; but that does not mean the
Copyright
© Allyn
Bacon 2007
pain
is& not
there
• In one experiment conducted by
the Hilgards, subjects were
hypnotized and told they would
feel no pain or discomfort when
an arm was placed in ice water.
• The subjects reported no pain or
discomfort during these
procedures.
• When their "hidden observers"
were tapped into, there were
reports of pain and discomfort
Hypnosis As an
Altered State
• Experts disagree about whether
hypnosis involves
– A distinct state of consciousness
– Heightened motivation
– Social processes such as role playing
– A dissociate state (Hilgard’s “hidden
observer” view)
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Practical Uses for
Hypnosis
Researchers
Psychological treatment
Medical and dental treatment
Hypnotic analgesia –
Diminished sensitivity to pain while under hypnosis
Curing bad habits such as smoking – posthypnotic
suggestion
Lamaze Method of Natural Childbirth
Uses hypnosis-like procedures to control pain
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon 2007
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon
2007
Meditation
• A form of consciousness change
induced by focusing on a
repetitive behavior, assuming
certain body positions, and
minimizing external stimulation
Copyright © Allyn & Bacon
2007
As an altered state of
consciousness…that may be
a western world view
Buddhism teaches that the world
is an illusion of the senses, so
meditation more accurately
captures reality
Reduces anxiety, tension, lowers
blood pressure and stress
hormones, changes brain wave
patterns