Being hypnotized = absolute obedience? You are still too naive!

In the study of psychology, it is often mentioned and to some extent mythical, that is - hypnosis. The classic scene of hypnosis that appears on TV is like this: the hypnotist shakes a copper coin at the hypnotized person, or tells the hypnotized person that you are very sleepy now... After receiving these suggestions, the hypnotized person's eyelids gradually close and seems to fall asleep, but he can still answer the hypnotist's questions and even act according to the hypnotist's ideas.

The movie "Hypnosis: Verdict" tells a story about hypnosis: In order to rescue a kidnapped daughter, a hypnotist uses a series of superb hypnosis techniques to make the jury and the kidnappers fall into his trap. In the end, he not only rescues the daughter but also brings the kidnappers to justice...

Promotional poster for the movie "Hypnosis: Judgment" (source see watermark)

After watching such films and TV series, many viewers would sigh and say that they would be hypnotized after watching them.

In fact, is the state of hypnosis really the same as the plot in such movies and TV dramas?

Hypnosis (Photo source: Pixabay)

Hypnosis Born from the Theory of Magnetism

First of all, we need to admit that hypnosis does exist. As a treatment method, hypnosis was spread in Europe in the 18th century by Austrian psychiatrist Mesmer in the form of "magnet therapy". Mesmer believed that there was a magnetic flow in the human body, and that the root cause of human illness was the disorder of the magnetic flow, without any psychological research. But in the environment at that time, Mesmer's serious treatment while wearing a cloak and playing the harmonica did help many patients recover, and he became famous for this.

However, theories and behaviors without scientific basis cannot stand forever. As Mesmer's wealth and fame continued to rise with the promotion of magnetic therapy, Louis XVI also began to investigate his magnetic therapy. The results of the investigation showed that the patients were able to recover entirely because they received positive suggestions, not the so-called magnetic therapy. Mesmer also ended up in disgrace because of his absurd interpretation and promotion of hypnosis. But since then, psychologists have begun to study the essence of hypnosis and apply it to more fields.

What is hypnosis?

Although there are differences in the definition of hypnosis in the psychology community, psychologists generally agree on this point of view: hypnosis is to put the subject into a state that is easily suggestible, in which the subject will think and act according to the guidance of the hypnotist. We can simply understand hypnosis as a calm and trance-like state of consciousness. When hypnotized, people's attention will be highly concentrated, making it easier to receive external suggestions.

Hypnotic pocket watch (Photo source: Pixabay)

Being hypnotized = absolute obedience?

When we are awake, our consciousness works non-stop to help us understand ourselves and our surroundings. In fact, we are also fully conscious when we are sleeping, dreaming, or even hypnotized, but the state of consciousness in the latter is not exactly the same as when we are awake.

Unlike the hypnosis we see in movies, TV shows, and literature, although people are more receptive to suggestions from the outside world when they are hypnotized, they do not actually lose control of their own behavior because of hypnosis. In other words, hypnosis cannot make people do things that are completely inconsistent with their subjective will. Like in "Hypnosis: Judgment", the hypnotized jury can make them recall sad things and make judgments that are in line with their inner logic under this tendency. However, it is difficult to remotely hypnotize the kidnappers through rhetoric and make them think they are drowning.

The hypnosis process in the movie "Hypnosis: Judgment" (Photo source: Sohu.com)

At the same time, hypnosis is not a reliable method to awaken the deepest memories of human beings. Because only a part of the personal experience will be saved in the memory, and this part of the experience will change over time. Just like you have just experienced a very shocking thing, you can't wait to share it with your friends, and the meaning expressed is almost the same as the reality. But a month or a few months later, when you talk about this matter to other friends, you may only be able to tell 60% to 70%. In this case, can hypnosis allow you to update this memory again, as clear as when it just happened? The answer is no.

Are people easily hypnotized?

In fact, only about 20% of people can easily enter the hypnotic state, and these people are generally more imaginative, or have a strong dependence on others and believe in the effect of hypnosis. One school of thought believes that hypnosis is a social influence phenomenon rather than a psychological phenomenon, that is, the behavior of the hypnotized during the hypnosis process is because they think the hypnotist wants them to behave this way, rather than being guided; another school of thought believes that hypnosis is related to consciousness separation, that is, the phenomenon of consciousness being separated from the environment.

What is the magic of hypnosis?

How does hypnosis work as a treatment? The answer is: selective attention.

Hypnosis cannot make us feel painless on a physiological level, but under hypnosis we can ignore the pain under various suggestions, which is actually an active psychological suggestion. In formal and legal clinical hypnosis treatment, doctors can give positive suggestions to help patients recover by letting them voluntarily enter a state of dissociated consciousness. In other words, hypnosis is to make people actively enter a state of dissociated consciousness and complete the treatment in that state. Therefore, it is also widely used in the treatment of mental illness, including mental anxiety, chronic pain, etc. Generally speaking, as long as you don't rely too much on hypnosis, repeatedly entering a state of dissociated consciousness will not harm your mental health.

Image source: Pixabay

At present, the knowledge of hypnosis is not widely popularized in my country, so people have strong curiosity or some unrealistic views on hypnosis. I hope that after reading this article, you will no longer blindly believe in the magical effects of hypnosis in movies, TV shows, and literary works, and do not think that hypnosis is harmful to the mind. Understanding the essence of hypnosis and conducting hypnosis treatment when necessary is the correct way for us to treat it.

References:

［1］ Yao Shuqiao, Fu Wenqing, Tang Qiuping, Zhu Xiongzhao. Clinical Psychology. [M]. China Renmin University Press, 2009.4

［2］ D. Alan Bensley. Critical Thinking in Psychology[M]. Beijing: China Light Industry Press, 2005: 74-9

［3］ PENG Danling. General Psychology[M]. Beijing Normal University Press, 2010

［4］ Zhang Ya. Exploration on the application of hypnosis therapy in psychological counseling and treatment of college students. [N]. Shanghai East China Normal University, 2005

[5] Qu Wenxiang. my country's understanding and attitude towards hypnosis. A comparison between the general public and professionals. [J]. Chinese Journal of Clinical Psychology. 2016(3):959-961.

Author: Yang Xiaosheng