Altered States of ConsciousnessChapter 7

Hypnosis

Highly suggestible

No use of critical thinking

Changes in awareness

Cooperation, not domination

Posthypnotic SuggestionUseful in changing

unwanted behaviors

Objections to Hypnosis

Not a special state of consciousness; result of suggestibility Non-hypnotized people can do some of the

same things

We experience “hypnosis” because we accept it will happen Entertainers select audience members who are

most willing

Hallucinations

Perceptions with no direct external cause

Can come from hypnosis, drugs, etc. or normal circumstances

Deprived of sleep

Very similar from one person to the next

Day dreams

Sensory Deprivation

Cut off from ALL senses

Study conducted on male college studentsMost didn’t last

past 2days IrritableTrouble

concentratingHallucinations

Biofeedback

Using feedback to changes physiological state

Body not designed to know heart rate

Training process

Migraine and tension headaches

Objections to Biofeedback

Placebo Effect

Techniques used for treating migraines just cause relaxation

Meditation

Used for thousands of yearsMeditation & final

phases of bioevolution

Increases concentration

Relaxes physiological state

Can change behaviorsDecreased drug use

Impact of Meditation