...words 2003 What is Hypnosis? Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. For this essay I will start by looking at the question what is hypnosis? I will look at the way hypnosis is perceived and look at some of the reasons for this, a brief history of hypnosis and some of the individuals who have had a hand in shaping its path to what it is today. When describing the psychological and physical aspects I will look at personal experience along side information I have obtained from others plus medical research that has shown clear markers for an individual in a hypnotised state. Then to complete the essay I will discuss the role of relaxation in hypnosis and how and individuals level of relaxation is directly linked to their ability to be hypnotised. The answers you could receive will depend on who you ask, Hypnosis has been used for entertainment of the masses and for some this may be the only experience they have of the topic. The sight of the “Victim” behaving in a manner which appears to be out of character often resulting in them making a fool out of themselves for the entertainment of others but this is not in any way a true representation of what hypnosis can be. The fact is that Hypnosis has been used for human benefit for what could be argued as thousands of years in different forms, and this is what has enabled it to evolved over time especially with the increased understanding of neurological...
Words: 2066 - Pages: 9
...“What is Hypnosis?” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy The following addresses the question of what hypnosis is by exploring its origins and the evolution to modern day practice. The psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis will then be discussed along with the notable components of suggestion and trance. The vital role of relaxation is also pointed to. Hypnosis is a psychological phenomenon; a natural state of selective, focused attention, and even though it is natural, it remains one of the most fascinating phenomena of the human mind. There is much disagreement and misunderstanding on the subject and there are many different theories and definitions surrounding it. Before discussing the modern theory of hypnosis, it is important to understand where this phenomena has come from. Its earliest existence was found among shamans or witch doctors as they were more commonly known. Shaman would follow strict practices which allowed them to have a strong focus, and these were often accompanied with monotonous and rhythmic chants or drum beats for example. This allowed their subconscious mind to focus and seek out the soul of the patient to heal them. Mesmer (1733-1815) recognised this healing practice and incorporated into his theory of animal magnetism. He believed that a cosmic fluid existed in inanimate objects which was transferred into patients to heal them. Mesmer literally mesmerised...
Words: 1933 - Pages: 8
...In this essay I will be explaining “what is hypnosis” by looking through various literature sources, internet sources and by using my own knowledge, I will include a brief history of hypnosis to aid this. I will then go on to describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis, followed by discussing the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is a state of mind achieved using a set of techniques. The hypnotic state is natural for all human beings. Hypnosis enhances an individual’s concentration which increases their responsiveness to suggestion; this is due to when being in a hypnotic state the subconscious is the one that is more responsive to suggestion than when you are in a fully conscious state. The suggestion will travel directly to the subconscious where it will help the individual to make the necessary changes in their thought patterns, behaviours or physiological state. The history of hypnosis goes back as far as ancient Egypt, Australian aborigines, North American Indians and Hindu cultures; history indicates that every culture has used hypnosis in one form or another (Chrysalis 2010). In the 1700’s, an Austrian doctor called Franz Anton Mesmer recognised ancient healing techniques and used them in his theories. These theories included animal magnetism and a belief that cosmic fluid could be stored in inanimate objects such as magnets, and transferred to patients to cue them of any illness...
Words: 1718 - Pages: 7
...of hypnosis around. It was during the 18th century that hypnosis was being understood and gaining acceptance as a psychological aspect. When we think of hypnosis we cannot agree on a fixed definition as there are many theories which have their own explanations and opinions on what hypnosis means. It is also difficult to come to a definite definition as patients /subjects that have hypnosis are never going to have the same experience as another. The simplest yet fairly definition we have is “hypnosis is a complex phenomenon, the coming together of a number of psychological processes. It involves selective attention that is, the subject’s attention is focused on a limited range of stimuli, usually internal, such as feelings and imagery. It involves relaxation: almost invariably for clinical purposes (unless he or she is, say, experiencing some arousing imagery) is both mentally and physically relaxed” Heap and Dryden (1991:2). There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to hypnosis and what people think or believe about it and a majority or nearly all of them are not true. Hypnosis is not a person with special powers, or that we start relying on it and certainly not bad for your health, these are just a few examples of myths we are made to believe. We cannot understand the truth till we read and understand the history furthermore the influential depths of hypnotherapy. This essay will explore the question what hypnosis is and by looking into the history of hypnosis we can...
Words: 1920 - Pages: 8
...Hypnotherapy is the mechanism used to access the unconscious mind and hypnosis is the induction of a trancelike state, resembling sleep, usually induced by a therapist and where the subject's receptivity to the power of suggestion is dramatically increased. According to The British Medical Association and the American Medical Association hypnosis is, "a temporary condition of altered attention in the subject that may be induced by another person.” Contrary to popular belief being in a state of hypnosis is not the same as being asleep. The uses of hypnosis in medicine and psychology include the modification or elimination of undesirable behaviour, such as smoking, and the treatment of certain chronic disorders, (anxiety), and phobias towards all sorts of everyday encounters, (spiders). In order to appreciate the whole area of hypnotherapy and how hypnosis is understood in the modern sense it is important to give a brief insight its history as hypnosis has been used for thousands of years for the purpose of healing and general well being. In ancient times hypnosis took many different forms, all making use of deep relaxation and trance to aid in the healing process. It wasn’t until the 1700’s, however, that Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815), a Viennese scientist believed that there was a cosmic liquid that flowed between people and as this was stimulated by magnets could be transmitted to others. He called this animal magnetism and even though there was no firm evidence that...
Words: 1936 - Pages: 8
...Below is a free essay on "What Is Hypnosis? Describe the Psychological Aspects of Hypnosis and Discuss the Role of Relaxation in Hypnotherapy" from Anti Essays, your source for free research papers, essays, and term paper examples. Name: Clare Whatley 2036 words Module Number: One (Year one) Course Code: BIRMI1S 12 ‘What is Hypnosis’ describe the psychological aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy. In this essay I am going to give a definition of what hypnosis is and what it isn’t. I will look at the nature of hypnosis and its role in society. I will give details of how and where hypnosis began and give some detail about the history. I will also discuss the psychological and physical aspects of hypnotherapy, including the important role of relaxation and how you can achieve it. This essay will show how effective hypnosis can be if a person is willing for it to work. Hypnosis is perceived very differently to different people. Some people will simply laugh at the theory of hypnotherapy and will refer to it as ‘Hypnotism’ that is performed on people in the same way as famous people in the media such as Paul McKenna or Derren Brown may perform it. Within science there is no debate as to whether hypnosis exists or works. Some people have strong beliefs in Hypnosis where as a percentage of people will simply say that it doesn’t work. It is true that it may infact not work for certain people. Only recently in this country has it started to...
Words: 390 - Pages: 2
...“What is Hypnosis?” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy. “What is Hypnosis?” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy. Hypnosis is hard to define as there is much debate and discussion regarding its nature and its true effects. It can be argued that each individual’s experience of hypnosis is unique to them, different people for example are considered to be more susceptible to hypnosis than others and therefore it is hard to measure or assess. Hypnosis itself has developed over time and explanations and evidence provided have been dependent on the scientific and psychological methods of the time. Hypnosis in its most general terms can be described as ‘a relaxed and focused state of concentration brought about through the use of set techniques. These techniques are thought to enhance concentration and increase an individual’s responsiveness to suggestion in order to make beneficial changes to a person’s thought patterns, behaviour or their physiological state’ (Chrysalis, 2010, p 9). In this essay I will first give a very brief account of the history of the practice of hypnosis and then go on to describe the psychological and physical aspects of it. In the last section of the essay I will discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. Hypnosis in some form or another can be found throughout history and within different cultures...
Words: 2225 - Pages: 9
...“What is Hypnosis?” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. Main Essay Introduction; In this essay I intend to provide a brief history and background to hypnosis, cover both the psychological and physical aspect of hypnosis and conclude with the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. Hypnosis has frequently been linked with the strange and mysterious, it could also be argued that it has been discredited by entertainers. The truth is that hypnosis isn’t the least bit mysterious or supernatural. In fact, we all have been in an hypnotic state probably thousands of times. We don’t notice it because it seems like such a natural state of mind and the hypnotic state is natural for all humans and many animals. The history of hypnosis is full of contradictions. On the one hand, the history of hypnosis is a bit like the history of breathing. Like breathing, hypnosis is an inherent and universal trait, shared and experienced by all human beings since the dawn of time. On the other hand, it’s only in the last few decades that we’ve come to realise that hypnosis itself hasn’t changed for thousands of years, but our understanding of it and our ability to control it has changed quite profoundly. The history of hypnosis then is really the history of this change in perception. Many people have concerns that hypnosis could make them do something that they would not normally do, something embarrassing, shocking or even...
Words: 2140 - Pages: 9
...What is Hypnotherapy? Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy. This essay will offer a definition of hypnotherapy and then proceed into a brief history of hypnosis. Afterwards, the aim is to describe what psychological and physical aspects appear within hypnosis including a few examples for illustration. The latter part of this essay will focus on the role of relaxation within hypnotherapy, finishing with an overall conclusion. To answer what is Hypnotherapy, firstly the term ‘hypnosis’ must be understood. Hypnosis is “a different state of consciousness which you can naturally enter so that, for therapeutic purposes (hypnotherapy), beneficial corrections may be given directly to your unconscious mind”, according to the BSCH at http://BSCH.org.uk/hypnotherapy.htm (2007). Therefore, Hypnotherapy appears to be the therapeutic work done between the client and the Hypnotherapist in order for advantageous changes to occur within the clients (unconscious) mind. Ancient history highlights Hypnosis used by the Egyptians through pictorial evidence of people standing over another making what is assumed hypnotic hand motions, but interpretation of such is difficult, (Waterfield 2004). Modern history starts with Franz Anton Mesmer’s (1733-1815) early notions on ‘universal gravitational fluid’ whereby the planets influence fluid inside the human body. Initial healing used magnets owing Mesmer to change his terminology...
Words: 2236 - Pages: 9
...Word Count: 2024 “What is Hypnosis” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy Introduction My essay will firstly attempt to look at the history of hypnosis and then look at what hypnosis is and also what hypnosis is not. My essay will then try to describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and finally I will discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy and whether relaxation is necessary for hypnotherapy to take place. History of hypnosis Hypnosis dates back hundreds of years and maybe portrayed as far back as the Old Testament. There is also evidence of hypnosis in Ancient Egypt over 3,000 years ago. There are two main leading men in the study of hypnosis, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734 – 1815) and Milton Erickson (1901 – 1980). Franz Anton Mesmer was considered to be the father of hypnosis. He is remembered for the term “mesmerism”, but this name didn’t stick and it was later changed to hypnosis. Milton Erickson is known as the father of modern hypnosis and is thought to have pioneered the art of suggestions in hypnosis. Milton Erickson developed many tips and techniques in hypnosis that were very different from what was commonly practiced. Milton Erickson maintained that a trance like state was very common, it is quite normal to become so immersed in an everyday activity that people go into a trance like state, and this is so common that most people do not recognise this as a hypnotic...
Words: 2129 - Pages: 9
...“What is Hypnosis” Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy Hypnosis is a complex concept. Forms of hypnosis have been around for thousands of years, with a more detailed historical account of the development and practice of modern hypnosis being available largely from the 18th Century onwards. No one definition of what we understand under the term hypnosis is exactly the same, in the same way as no patient who considers hypnosis as treatment is going to be the same, or will experience hypnosis in exactly the same way as others. Academic and theoretic debates about whether hypnosis is a real or imagined phenomenon have been long standing. This essay explores the question of what hypnosis is by taking a look at a brief historical account of hypnosis and how this has influenced the modern theory and practice. The essay will describe the various psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and detail hypnotic techniques and delivery, taking a look at the key ingredients of suggestion and trance to help us understand the nature of hypnosis. We will also consider what role relaxation in particular plays in the hypnotic process and hypnotherapy, before concluding. A brief history of hypnosis Ancient history accounts for examples of hypnosis as early as 2000 BC when Egyptian priests were using techniques of hypnotic induction in death and rebirth rituals in ‘Sleep Temples’. The ancient Greeks also...
Words: 318 - Pages: 2
...What is Hypnosis ? Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. To many people the word hypnosis will often conjure up images of swinging fob watches and dramatic stage shows where people are compelled to behave in strange ways. Whilst very entertaining, the popular performance of stage hypnosis is very different to the essence of modern hypnosis and is mainly responsible for many misconceptions about hypnotism and hypnotherapy. (Waterfield 2004) In order to understand modern hypnosis, it is necessary to look to the past in order to identify and trace its origins. Waterfield writes about examples from history thought to be an indication of early hypnosis in many different cultures, including ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, India and even Australia, but dismisses many of these as unrelated and unproven in many cases. Modern hypnosis in the Western Hemisphere is believed to have started with Franz Anton Mesmer. Born in Iznang, which is now part of Germany, in 1734, Mesmer studied philosophy, theology, music, maths and law before deciding on a medical career. He worked extensively in Vienna and as a result of influences by the mystic physician Paracelsus he began to develop ideas of an invisible fluid in the body which affected health. Initially, he used magnets to manipulate the fluid and ‘magnetise’ his patients. Healing sessions with individual patients progressed to group sessions and Mesmer came...
Words: 1874 - Pages: 8
...This essay will be answering the question 'What is Hypnosis?'. It will describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and will be discussing the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. It will give a brief history of hypnosis. It will look back over the century's to the many people who have influenced the progression of hypnosis, to how it is seen and practiced to this day. It will discuss the role of relaxation and what happens to achieve relaxation. What is Hypnosis? Hypnosis is nothing new, in fact it has been widely practiced since the early 1700”s Most people are familiar with the term 'mesmerized', which in fact came from an Australian doctor named Franz Anton Mesmer who lived from 1733-1815 (1) Mesmer had a theory that he could heal people with the use of magnets and Franziska Osterlin was his first patient in 1774, followed shortly in 1777 to a young lady musician who had been born blind and was unable to be treated by any doctor. Mesmer did in fact restore the ladies site but in the process she lost the ability to play the piano. Mesmer was accused of magic and was forced to leave Austria. (2) Mesmer moved to France and by the 1780's he moved away from using magnets and instead used a 'healing tree'. He was evaluated by King Louis XVI who concluded that his results were due to individual fantasy and in 1785 he was forced to leave the city where for the next 30 years he lived a secluded life. (2) Shortly before Mesmers death in 1815 he was visited by...
Words: 2227 - Pages: 9
...(2022 words) ‘What is hypnosis?’ Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in Hypnotherapy. Hypnosis can be thought of as a special state of consciousness (1). It involves an interaction between two or more people. One is the hypnotist and the other(s) is the subject (2). The subject is in a state of selective attention and increased suggestibility, where beneficial suggestions can be put to the subject. The term for this is hypnotic trance or hypnotic state (3). I will describe the physical and psychological changes that can occur during this process. Relaxation can be an important induction technique for hypnosis. I will discuss the role of relaxation to prepare a client for hypnosis. Australian Aborigines have used hypnotic trance for thousands of years. It is also found in American Indian and Hindu culture (4). In the eighteenth century Franz Mesmer, the grandfather of hypnosis, used magnets then later electric rods to induce a mesmerised state for curing ailments. Eventually he used his hands and his own self described ‘animal magnetism’ in his treatment. Abba Faria described the effects of Mesmer’s work as not due to animal mesmerism but due to suggestions. Other scientists that worked and learned form Mesmer include the Marquis de Puysegur, who noted that his own subjects ‘fell asleep’, although he could still talk to and get replies from them. James Braid gave the term hypnosis to the practise...
Words: 2028 - Pages: 9
..."What is hypnosis?" Describe the psychological and physical aspects of hypnosis and discuss the role of relaxation in hypnotherapy. In order to address the essay title I will begin looking at what hypnosis is. I will look at a brief history of hypnosis and how it has developed through the years, now being recognised as a form of therapy. I will explain how people experience physical and psychological changes during their experience of hypnosis and how relaxation plays a key role. I will also address how, due to the physical and psychological changes, hypnosis can be used as a treatment for illnesses. Finally, I will conclude how relaxation is an important aspect of hypnosis and, without it, we would find it extremely difficult to reach the unconscious state of mind where suggestions are accepted in order to make positive changes to thought patterns and behaviours. One of the earliest known uses of hypnosis was by "shamans" who were also known as "healers". The healing process would involve the Shamans being strongly focused with heightened concentration. They would take themselves into a "lower world" where they would use powerful visualisations and suggestion in order to will healing for a sick person. Following from that, in the 1700's, Franz Anton Mesmer introduced the theory of "animal magnetism". Mesmer believed that there was an astrological influence on human health and that this was presented in the form of "cosmic...
Words: 2106 - Pages: 9
