EXAMPLE ANSWERS: Q9

Q9. State two major theories of hypnosis. Outline and briefly discuss. Using the Harvard citation method detail how you discovered this information.

Learning outcomes: 2.1, 3.3

Student answer Although the average bystander may perceive Hypnosis to be one homogenous subject, as with many other paradigms there are many schools of thought and perspectives. Two of these are described below: Erickson and Rossi (1979; 1981) postulated that hypnosis is altered state of functioning, often created by the individual themselves under direction or encouragement of the hypnotist. Erickson himself suggested that the unconscious mind of an individual was always in a position where it was ready to hear and potentially act upon suggestions that were made. These could take place at a subconscious level provided they are congruent with the individual (not being unacceptable to the subconscious). He proposed that the unconscious mind was allowed to be an active participant in the therapeutic process, encouraging the client to subjectively reason with the situation. He would often use techniques such as metaphors and indirect language and in later life experimented with levels of trance or even multiple trances, blurring the concept of a hypnotic or aware/awake state. This work was later used by Grinder and Bandler (1979) to form the concept of NLP An alternative view is made by Spanos (1986) who proposes that any therapeutic event could be classed as hypnotherapy-as long as the hypnotherapist and recipient agree that it is. Therefore rather than being an altered state or a state of trance, hypnosis is a dynamic situation in which a client actively participates. The reason for this participation is explained by a range of factors including anticipation, expectation of change, and personal motivating factors. Spanos suggests that therapist suggests a change and the recipient considers, decides and accepts or not depending on the same influencing factors. Whereas both theories have the participant as active, they differ in their perspective on the state in which the recipient experiences the hypnosis- altered, or not. Erickson, M.H.,Rossi, E.L. 1979 Hypnotherapy: An Exploratory Casebook New York: Irvington Publishers, Inc. Erickson, M.H.,Rossi, E.L. 1981 Experiencing Hypnosis: Therapeutic Approaches to Altered States. New York: Irvington Grinder, J., Bandler, R. (1979) Frogs into Princes: Neuro Linguistic Programming. Utah: Moab Spanos, N.P. (1986). Hypnotic Behavior: A Social-Psychological interpretation of amnesia, analgesia, and 'trance logic'. Behavioral and Brain Sciences. 9 (1), 449-467 (LO 2.1 Knowledge of the various theories on the nature of hypnosis. And 3.3 An ability to reference other authors' work properly, e.g. in 'Harvard' and 'footnote' formats)

Tutor feedback (DO NOT delete/edit feedback. Write amendments, additional information & thoughts underneath this table) Correct. A detailed and concise answer to this one, with appropriate citation, showing a clear understanding of the differing models.

(Further student work goes here if requested through feedback)

Further Student Example Answer:  State verse Non-State

“State” theory

Hilgard's Neodissociation Theory (Hilgard, 1979, 1986)

Hilgard's Neodissociation theory of hypnosis is a classic 'state' theory. It proposes that hypnotic phenomenon are produced through a dissociation within high level control systems.

This theory basically means that during the hypnotic induction the mind (is split?) into two separate processes, the conscious part is aware of the suggestions given, however the sub-conscious part accepts the suggestion and then feedback the resulting action to the conscious part. The conscious part takes no part in how the result was processed.

This is the process accepted by most direct hypnosis students, the client must enter an altered state of being in order to accept the suggestions, my original teaching proposed the Conscious and Sub-Conscious minds were separate but interacting with a Critical Factor (represented as a gatekeeper) between the two parts whose main purpose was to keep the client doing what they always do, that which is familiar, the Conscious mind and the gatekeeper had to be bypassed in order for the client to accept the hypnotists new suggestions.

The Sub-Conscious is to be regarded as having the intelligence of a bright 9yrs old child, (the approximate age children stop automatically accepting such make believe things as the tooth fairy and Santa Claus etc.) the hypnotist talks to the Sub-Conscious stopping unproductive thought patterns and planting new more productive thought patterns which are then run feeding into the Conscious mind.

(Jonathon Chase, Don’t Look Into His Eye’s 1988)

“Non-State” theory

Social-cognitive theories form the 'non-state' end of the 'state-nonstate debate'. State theories argue that processes such as 'repression' or 'dissociation' operate when subjects are given a suggestion, whereas non-state theories view subjects as active "doers" and observe the suggested effect as an enactment rather than a happening  (Spanos et al, 1980).

This process is both Ericksonian in that much of his work was by metaphors and general story telling rather than the formal hypnosis of Dissociated state hypnosis, Erickson would tell his clients long rambling story’s with hidden threads of how they can change or react to circumstances, the gentle rambling nature of these stories allowed them to slip by the Critical Factor of the Conscious mind as they appear to be just stories but the Sub-Conscious mind would pick up on the meanings and take on board the lessons.

(Sidney Rosen My Voices Will Go With You: Teaching Tales of Milton Erickson:,1991 )

This is also how Dr Jonathon Royal (a.k.a. Alex Smith) explains all hypnosis in his many training books and seminars. He believes all hypnosis is fake and hypnotists are merely giving their clients permission to do what they really want, in the case of stage hypnosis, to perform and entertain without feeling embarrassed, in the therapy room to make changes without guilt or responsibility as “the hypnotist made me do it. Which is a form of social compliance or peer pressure rather than any form of altered state.

(Jonathon Royal, "The Encyclopedia of Hypnotherapy, Stage Hypnosis & Complete Mind Therapy 2013)

Q9. Correct, You have understood the question well and have compared the two models that you have selected very effectively. Your answer demonstrates a good understanding of these differing models culminating in a demonstration of the varied approaches of the two Jonathans.