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Hypnosis defined by Merriam-Webster: |
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Pronunciation: hip- n -s s
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -no·ses /- s z/
1 : a trancelike state of altered consciousness that resembles sleep but is induced by a person whose suggestions are readily accepted by the subject
2 : any of various conditions that resemble sleep
3: HYPNOTISM 1
Hypnosis. 1) Hypnotic trance; an altered state of awareness ('trance') in which unconscious or dissociated responses to suggestion are enhanced in quality and increased in degree ('hyper-suggestibility'). 2) Hypnotic induction ('hypnogenesis'); the process by which hypnotic trance is induced in the operator ('auto-' or 'self-hypnosis') or in others ('hetero-hypnosis'). 3) Hypnotism; the field of study which encompasses, among other things, hypnotic trance; its induction, management, and application; and related subjects such as the phenomena of 'waking suggestion' and naturally occurring ('hypnoidal') trance states. (Abbrv. of 'neuro-hypnotism' meaning 'sleep of the nervous system.')
| From Wikipedia, we get this definition: |
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Hypnosis is a distinctive, often trance-like mental state that is induced by an organized pattern of suggestions, usually verbal in nature, beginning with the suggestion of relaxation. The suggestions may be directly induced by a hypnotist in the presence of the subject, but may be also be self-induced (self-hypnosis or autohypnosis/auto-suggestion).
Although the long held popular view was that hypnosis is form of unconsciousness, the informed contemporary view is that it is actually a wakeful state of focused attention[1] and heightened suggestibility,[2] with diminished peripheral awareness.[3]
According to the American Psychological Association:
Hypnosis may bring about "...changes in subjective experience, alterations in perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior."[4] The hypnotic state may also facilitate change in the body: it has been successfully used as a treatment for irritable bowel syndrome,[5] as an alternative to chemical anaesthesia,[6][7][8] and it has been studied as a way to soothe skin ailments.[9]
Hypnosis, as defined by the U.S. Government:
Hypnosis is an altered state of mind identified by the following two characteristics: (1) the bypass of the critical factor, and (2) the establishment of acceptable selective thinking.
Milton Erickson gave us this definition of hypnosis::
"Hypnosis is a particular altered state of selective suggestibility brought about in an individual by the use of a combination of relaxation, fixation of attention, and suggestion."
Another definition by Milton Erickson:
A special learning state during which the client has access to otherwise blocked resources
(“the wisdom of the unconscious”)(left margin picture of Milton Erickson)
Definition According to Cambridge Dictionaries:
Sci-Tech Encyclopedia: Hypnosis
A presumed altered state of consciousness in which the hypnotizedindividual is usually more susceptible to suggestion than in his or her normal state. In this context, a suggestion is understood to be an idea or a communication
"Hypnotic Suggestion" as Defined by Ivan Pavlov
"Hypnotic Suggestion is the most direct form of a Conditioned Reflex, an idea that elicits a covert or overt response not mediated by the higher critical faculties (that is, the volitional apparatus)."
Hypnosis According to James Braid:
The real origin and essence of the hypnotic condition is the induction of a habit of abstraction or mental concentration, in which, as in reverie or spontaneous abstraction, the powers of the mind are so much engrossed with a single idea or train of thought, as, for the nonce, to render the individual unconscious of, or indifferently conscious to, all other ideas, impressions, or trains of thought. [Braid, 1852: 53-54] (Right Margin Picture of James Braid)
The Skeptic’s Dictionary describes hypnosis as: Hypnosis is a process involving a hypnotist and a subject who agrees to be hypnotized. Being hypnotized is usually characterized by (a) concentration, (b) relaxation, (c) suggestion, and (d) expectation
( Skeptics- we could find a released picture of someone doubting or looking like they are suspicious?)
British Medical Association Defines Hypnotism in 1952 :
“Hypnotism” includes hypnotism, mesmerism and any similar act or process which produces or is intended to produce in any person any form of induced sleep or trance in which the susceptibility of the mind of that person to suggestion or direction is increased or intended to be increased but does not include hypnotism, mesmerism or any similar act or process which is self-induced. [The Hypnotism Act, 1952]
The British Medical Association defines Hypnotism three years later, in 1955:A temporary condition of altered attention in the subject which may be induced by another person and in which a variety of phenomena may appear spontaneously or in response to verbal or other stimuli. These phenomena include alterations in consciousness and memory, increased susceptibility to suggestion, and the production in the subject of responses and ideas unfamiliar to him in his usual state of mind. Further, phenomena such as anaesthesia, paralysis and rigidity of muscles, and vasomotor changes can be produced and removed in the hypnotic state. [BMA, 'Medical use of Hypnotism', 1955]
Dave Elman’s Definition of Hypnosis:
Hypnosis is a state of mind in which the critical faculty of the human is bypassed, and selective thinking established. [Dave Elman, Hypnotherapy, 1964: 26]
Definition According to Cambridge Dictionaries :
Sci-Tech Encyclopedia: Hypnosis
A presumed altered state of consciousness in which the hypnotized individual is usually more susceptible to suggestion than in his or her normal state. In this context, a suggestion is understood to be an idea or a communication
The Mayo Clinic Definition:
Hypnosis, also referred to as hypnotherapy or hypnotic suggestion, is a trance-like state of mind. It is usually achieved with the help of a hypnotherapist and is different from your everyday awareness. When you're under hypnosis:
- Your attention is more focused
- You're deeply relaxed and calm
- You're more open to suggestions, and less critical or disbelieving
The purpose of hypnosis is to help you gain more control over your behavior, emotions or physical well-being.
Dr. David Spiegel, Assoc. Chair of Psychiatry Stanford University School of Medicine describes hypnosis:
“Hypnosis is not mind control. It's a naturally occurring state of concentration; it's actually a means of enhancing your control over both your mind and your body.”
Society of Psychological Hypnosis
Division 30 - American Psychological Association
New Definition: Hypnosis:
The Division 30 Definition and Description of Hypnosis
Hypnosis typically involves an introduction to the procedure during which the subject is told that suggestions for imaginative experiences will be presented. The hypnotic induction is an extended initial suggestion for using one's imagination, and may contain further elaborations of the introduction. A hypnotic procedure is used to encourage and evaluate responses to suggestions. When using hypnosis, one person (the subject) is guided by another (the hypnotist) to respond to suggestions for changes in subjective experience, alterations in perception, sensation, emotion, thought or behavior. Persons can also learn self-hypnosis, which is the act of administering hypnotic procedures on one's own. If the subject responds to hypnotic suggestions, it is generally inferred that hypnosis has been induced. Many believe that hypnotic responses and experiences are characteristic of a hypnotic state. While some think that it is not necessary to use the word "hypnosis" as part of the hypnotic induction, others view it as essential.
Details of hypnotic procedures and suggestions will differ depending on the goals of the practitioner and the purposes of the clinical or research endeavor. Procedures traditionally involve suggestions to relax, though relaxation is not necessary for hypnosis and a wide variety of suggestions can be used including those to become more alert. Suggestions that permit the extent of hypnosis to be assessed by comparing responses to standardized scales can be used in both clinical and research settings. While the majority of individuals are responsive to at least some suggestions, scores on standardized scales range from high to negligible. Traditionally, scores are grouped into low, medium, and high categories. As is the case with other positively-scaled measures of psychological constructs such as attention and awareness, the salience of evidence for having achieved hypnosis increases with the individual's score.
 U.S.A.Definition for Hypnotherapist
The U.S. (Department of Labor) Directory of Occupational Titles (D.O.T. 079.157.010) supplies the following definition:
"Hypnotherapist -- Induces hypnotic state in client to increase motivation or alter behavior pattern through hypnosis. Consults with client to determine the nature of problem. Prepares client to enter hypnotic states by explaining how hypnosis works and what client will experience. Tests subject to determine degrees of physical and emotional suggestibility. Induces hypnotic state in client using individualized methods and techniques of hypnosis based on interpretation of test results and analysis of client's problem. May train client in self-hypnosis conditioning.
Dr. John Kappas defined hypnosis as…a mind state created by an overload of message units, disorganizing our inhibitory process (critical mind), triggering our fight or flight mechanism and ultimately resulting in a hypersuggestable state, providing access to the subconscious mind.(insert picture of Dr. Kappas)
Michael Yapko defines hypnosis:
Hypnosis is a process of influential communication in which the clinician elicits and guides the inner associations of the client in order to establish or strengthen therapeutic associations in the context of a collaborative and mutually responsive goal-oriented relationship”
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