How we change what others think, feel, believe and do

Hypnotism

Hypnotism is a highly controversial subject, even to the question as whether it is real or not. This section unravels a few of these questions and describes some of the process and methods used.

Caveat: inexpert hypnosis can be hazardous and thus needs appropriate caution. The pages here are for information rather than instruction.

Principles of hypnosis: Common elements that often appear.
- Collaboration: You need their help too.
- Forced cognition: Saying it makes them think it.
- Sensory thought: Thinking about events triggers senses.
- Physical thought: Thinking changes the body.
- Feedback: Check that it is working and works.
- Utilization: Make use of what happens. Everything's a resource.
- Confidence: The attitude of the hypnotist is key.
Techniques of hypnotism: Specific things to do.
- Affirmation: Support the person.
- Ambiguity: Many meanings happen at once.
- Confirmation: Telling them it's working.
- Fixing attention: To occupy the the mind.
- Hand-clasp: A useful test of suggestibility.
- Levitation: Magical floating arms!
- Linking: As your arms relax, your shoulders relax too.
- Noticing: You might have noticed that you are relaxing now.
- Pausing: Giving time for things to sink in.
- Progressive relaxation: Relaxing one part at a time.
- Relax-repeat: Just keep saying 'relax'.
- Tense-relax: Tense muscles then relax them.
- Vagueness: Certain words work well.
- Visualizing: Getting people to see things.
- Wondering: A method of indirect command.
Articles on hypnotism: Various topics.
- Live vs. recorded hypnosis: Is it ok to buy a recording?
- State vs. trait: Is hypnotic susceptibility innate or just another state?
- The edge of sleep: The state can be dream-like and semi-conscious.
- Slow vs. fast: Which is better?
- The ethics of hypnosis: Obvious. And important.

Hypnotism

See also