How hypnotic suggestions work - A systematic review of prominent theories of hypnosis.

In recent decades, hypnosis has increasingly moved into the mainstream of scientific inquiry. Hypnotic suggestions are frequently implemented in behavioral, neurocognitive, and clinical investigations and interventions. Despite abundant reports about the effectiveness of suggestions in altering behavior, perception, cognition, and agency, no consensus exists regarding the mechanisms driving these changes. This article reviews competing theoretical accounts that address the genesis of subjective, behavioral, and neurophysiological responses to hypnotic suggestions. We systematically analyze the broad landscape of hypnosis theories that best represent our estimation of the current status and future avenues of scientific thinking. We start with procedural descriptions of hypnosis, suggestions, and hypnotizability, followed by a comparative analysis of systematically selected theories. Considering that prominent theoretical perspectives emphasize different aspects of hypnosis, our review reveals that each perspective possesses salient strengths, limitations, and heuristic values. We highlight the necessity of revisiting extant theories and formulating novel evidence-based accounts of hypnosis.

Mindfulness, acceptance, and hypnosis: Cognitive and clinical perspectives.

The authors propose that hypnosis and mindfulness-based approaches can be used in tandem to create adaptive response sets and to deautomatize maladaptive response sets. They summarize recent research on the effectiveness of mindfulness-based approaches in clinical and nonclinical contexts and propose that the cognitive underpinnings of mindfulness approaches can be conceptualized in terms of the metacognitive basis of mindful attention, Toneatto's elucidation of the Buddhist perspective on cognition, and Kirsch and Lynn's response-set theory. They also suggest that mindfulness can serve as a template for generating an array of suggestions that provides cognitive strategies to contend with problems in living and to ameliorate stress and negative affect more generally. Many of the ideas the authors advance are speculative and are intended to spur additional research and clinical work.

A meta-analysis of gender, smoking cessation, and hypnosis:a brief communication.

Results of a meta-analysis showed that males were more likely to report smoking abstinence than female participants following hypnosis-based treatments for smoking. Across 12 studies that used hypnosis in the treatment of smoking and reported outcome statistics by gender, the authors found that the odds of achieving smoking abstinence were 1.37 times greater for male than female participants. The results are consistent with the nonhypnosis literature suggesting that females have a more difficult time achieving smoking abstinence compared to males.

Teoría de hypnosis / No disponible

Durante aproximadamente los últimos 50 años, el estudio y la práctica de la hipnosis se han enmarcado dentro del campo de la Psicología. Este artículo revisa las conclusiones que constituyen un acuerdo emergente entre los científicos sobre los fenómenos fundamentales de la hipnosis, y describe la influencia de las teorías de hipnosis que han tenido una repercusión determinante en el campo, y que no descansan en la idea de que la hipnosis se puede explicar por un "estado de trance" específico de la hipnosis. Estas teorías incluyen la teoría socio-psicológica del rol (ejemplo: Sarbin, Coe), la teoría cognitivo-comportamental (ejemplo: Barber), la teoría neodisociativa (ejemplo: Hilgard), la teoría socio-psicológica de Spanos, la teoría de la expectativa de respuesta (ejemplo: Kirsch), el modelo integrador de Lynn, y la teoría del set de respuesta (ejemplo: Kirsch, Lynn) (AU)

In the past 50 years or so, the study and practice of hypnosis has moved into the mainstream of psychology. This article reviews findings that constitute an emerging consensus among scientists about the basic phenomena of hypnosis and describes influential theories of hypnosis have had a shaping influence on the field and do not rely on the idea that hypnosis can be explained by a "trance state" specific to hypnosis. These theories include social psychological role theory (e.g., Sarbin, Coe), cognitive behavioral theory (e.g., Barber), neodissociation theory (e.g., Hilgard), Spanos’s social psychological theory, response expectancy theory (e.g., Kirsch), Lynn’s integrative model, and response set theory (e.g., Kirsch, Lynn) (AU)

The impact of stage hypnosis on audience members and participants.

Before and after a stage-hypnosis performance, 67 audience members and 6 participants completed the Hypnotic Attitudes Questionnaire (HAQ), the Posthypnotic Experience Scale (PES), and several questions related to attitudes about performing in public. Audience members' beliefs about hypnosis (HAQ total and factor scores),experience ratings (PES factor scores: pleasantness, anger/irritability,anxiety), and responses to the performance-related questions changed in a positive direction after the performance. The participants in the show reported no significant pre- to postperformance changes. How-ever, there were indications that the on stage participants exhibited generally favorable attitudes toward hypnosis and performing before they engaged in the actual performance.