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Is hypnotism real?

Apr 7, 2010#1

Calleja

Well? Is it?

Apr 7, 2010#2

Dave

Yes, but the effects might not necessarily be those which are advertised.

Apr 7, 2010#3

phil

All I know is that ever since I went to a show in Vegas I click like a chicken whenever I hear a dog barking.

Apr 7, 2010#4

MindDetective

Dave said:
Yes, but the effects might not necessarily be those which are advertised.

Yup, this.

Apr 7, 2010#5

North_Ranger

If we're talking about the show variety where people start snogging with a broomstick because some guy in a suit tells them it's Megan Fox... no.

If there's another kind... well, I'm listening.

Apr 7, 2010#6

phil

snogging. hehehe. I gotta start using that one.

Apr 7, 2010#7

Calleja

MindDetective;367401][QUOTE=Dave said:
Yes, but the effects might not necessarily be those which are advertised.

Yup, this.[/QUOTE]

Care to elaborate?

Apr 7, 2010#8

North_Ranger

phil said:
snogging. hehehe. I gotta start using that one.

Well, capital I got to expand your lingo, guv'nah. Cheerio.

Apr 7, 2010#9

CynicismKills

This isn't the answer you're looking for. You can go about your business.

Apr 7, 2010#10

phil

This isn't the answer I'm looking for. I'm going to go about my business.

Maybe even my BizzNazz even.

Apr 7, 2010#11

figmentPez

North_Ranger said:
If there's another kind... well, I'm listening.

Apr 7, 2010#12

MindDetective

figmentPez;367415][QUOTE=North_Ranger said:
If there's another kind... well, I'm listening.

The Mythbusters tested hypnosis myths and found that while post-hypnotic suggestions can't make people do things they otherwise wouldn't, they did find that memory recall is better while under hypnosis.

As far as I know this is in line with what scientific research has found about hypnosis. The human mind can be put in an altered state where it behaves differently than the normal waking state, but it's not brainwashing.[/QUOTE]

Actually, Mythbusters was wrong. In general, there is no memory advantage that comes from hypnosis. In fact, since people are in a more suggestable state, they tend to be more prone to biasing language and leading questions. Hypnosis seems to be a genuine change in a person's conscious state that is probably a little like meditation, in that the person is relaxed but awake. There has been nothing that a hypnotized person can do that a non-hypnotized person can do. Additionally, hypnotized people have limits in that they won't do anything you ask, especially if it goes counter to their nature. Part of the reason people may do crazy things at hypnotist shows is that there is a social acceptance that such craziness is okay. In general, hypnotism does seem to impact, temporarily, a person's state of mind but not in any particularly profound way.

Apr 7, 2010#13

drawn_inward

So, I don't want to sound like a schmuck, but what is going on in those shows where the hypnotist tells someone they're naked, and they act embarrassed, etc. Are the folks faking it? Are they a part of the act? Are they just open to suggestion?

I've always thought it was a bunch of b.s.. Is it reliable at all?

Apr 7, 2010#14

MindDetective

dr_awkward said:
So, I don't want to sound like a schmuck, but what is going on in those shows where the hypnotist tells someone they're naked, and they act embarrassed, etc. Are the folks faking it? Are they a part of the act? Are they just open to suggestion?

I've always thought it was a bunch of b.s.. Is it reliable at all?

Not entirely reliable in that some people are just not very susceptible to hypnotism. Some level of trust is required to be hypnotized and not everyone can provide that to the hypnotist. At a hypnotist show, the hypnotist will often have a large number of people come on stage, try to hypnotize them all, and work with the most pliable ones. He is really putting them into a suggestable state, I think, that is probably a little like daydreaming vividly, I'd guess. If a person really believed they were naked, though, they probably wouldn't stay on the stage, acting embarrassed and trying to cover themselves up. They would run full bore out of the room.

Apr 7, 2010#15

Dusty668

Hey Phil, lookit!

Apr 7, 2010#16

phil

MindDetective;367425][QUOTE=figmentPez;367415][QUOTE=North_Ranger said:
If there's another kind... well, I'm listening.

Dusty668 said:
Hey Phil, lookit!

Apr 7, 2010#17

North_Ranger

phil said:
Dusty668 said:

Hey Phil, lookit!

Click to expand...

...

Whoa, what just happened?

Why am I wearing a plaid shirt?

Apr 7, 2010#18

Gusto

North_Ranger said:
Why am I wearing a plaid shirt?

Cuz yer a good person.

Apr 7, 2010#19

PatrThom

Yep, it's real. Never been hypnotized (too much of a natural skeptic), but from what I gather, your conscious mind relaxes enough to lower the barriers which keep you from trusting what you're told. This means you are more trusting of others, willing to believe what they say at face value. Hilarity ensues.

--Patrick

Apr 7, 2010#20

bhamv3

A few years ago, I found I have a sort of naturally-developed form of hypnotism where I can talk to a person, and pretty soon afterwards they'll spill their deepest secrets out at me.

As MindDetective said though, there needs to be a level of familiarity and trust first. I can do it to friends and acquaintances, but not strangers.

Apr 7, 2010#21

Bowielee

It's my understanding that the actual nature of hypnotism is still being debated within the field of psychology.

Apr 8, 2010#22

Calleja

delicious.

Apr 8, 2010#23

Zarvox

Didn't know that; thanks MindDetective. Always good to have an actual professional pop up to explain things.

Apr 8, 2010#24

MindDetective

Bowielee said:
It's my understanding that the actual nature of hypnotism is still being debated within the field of psychology.

This is true.

Apr 8, 2010#25

Chazwozel

Ever drive down the highway or road and all of a sudden realize that you don't actually remember anything to that point of time? That's hypnosis.

Apr 8, 2010#26

MindDetective

Chazwozel said:
Ever drive down the highway or road and all of a sudden realize that you don't actually remember anything to that point of time? That's hypnosis.

Apr 8, 2010#27

Chazwozel

MindDetective;367654][QUOTE=Chazwozel said:
Ever drive down the highway or road and all of a sudden realize that you don't actually remember anything to that point of time? That's hypnosis.

That's due to divided attention. You're basically paying attention to something else (a conversation with the passenger, the radio, the little voice in your head). I think it would be a hard case to make to say that hypnosis is causing people to be so distracted that they don't realize what they are doing or what happened to them.[/QUOTE]

I was referring to highway hypnosis. Where you're in a functional relaxed state.

Apr 8, 2010#28

MindDetective

Chazwozel;367657][QUOTE=MindDetective;367654][QUOTE=Chazwozel said:
Ever drive down the highway or road and all of a sudden realize that you don't actually remember anything to that point of time? That's hypnosis.

Apr 8, 2010#29

Calleja

SO.. is hypnotism a valid therapy for, say, unlocking lost memories? Handling addictions? Getting people to cluck when the phone rings?

Apr 8, 2010#30

Cog

http://notalwaysright.com/working-smarter-not-harder/2054

Apr 8, 2010#31

Bowielee

The Mex said:
SO.. is hypnotism a valid therapy for, say, unlocking lost memories? Handling addictions? Getting people to cluck when the phone rings?

Hypnosis is one of those things that is really sensationalized, but really is just a state of being extremely relaxed and aware at the same time. I think the unlocking lost memories thing is complete bullocks. As far as handling addictions go, it all hinges on the subject's willingness to allow it to succeed.

Apr 8, 2010#32

MindDetective

The Mex said:
SO.. is hypnotism a valid therapy for, say, unlocking lost memories?

No. (in my professional opinion)

Handling addictions?

Temporarily, it seems. With something like smoking, people do smoke less after an hypnosis session but the effect fades and they usually need to be rehypnotized frequently.

Getting people to cluck when the phone rings?

Apr 8, 2010#33

Chazwozel

MindDetective;367782][QUOTE=The Mex said:
SO.. is hypnotism a valid therapy for, say, unlocking lost memories?

No. (in my professional opinion)

Handling addictions?

Temporarily, it seems. With something like smoking, people do smoke less after an hypnosis session but the effect fades and they usually need to be rehypnotized frequently.

Getting people to cluck when the phone rings?

Not really. Post hypnotic suggestions can be implanted, which is what they do in therapy for smokers, but they don't really make people behave in spontaneous ways like that. It might work for a very short duration, as during a hypnosis act, I suppose.[/QUOTE]

Says you Mr. Fancy pants! It's been six months and I still think I'm a chicken!

IMA CHICKEN GUYS! A CHICKEN!

Apr 8, 2010#34

Calleja

We know, Chaz, we know. You have to stop deluding yourself, though.

You've ALWAYS been a chicken, it's not a hypnotism accident you suffered, you were BORN a chicken. It's time you came to terms with this, dude. We love you, we're here for you.

Apr 8, 2010#35

sixpackshaker

The only time I watched a Hypnotist in action, he was performing in a local bar in a college town. All the random people he picked to go on stage were Drama Majors I knew who did not frequent that bar.

Apr 8, 2010#36

Chazwozel

The Mex said:
We know, Chaz, we know. You have to stop deluding yourself, though.

You've ALWAYS been a chicken, it's not a hypnotism accident you suffered, you were BORN a chicken. It's time you came to terms with this, dude. We love you, we're here for you.

I'VE GOT A BIG COCK, IT'S SO DAMN BIG. I'VE GOT A BIG COCK FOR YOUR MOUTH!

Apr 8, 2010#37

Gusto

That's not a man! It's a giant CHICKEN!

Apr 8, 2010#38

MindDetective

I'm pretty sure that man next to the giant rooster would not appreciate you calling him a chicken!

Apr 8, 2010#39

sixpackshaker

Gusto said:
That's not a man! It's a giant CHICKEN!

NO IT'S A MAN

Apr 9, 2010#40

CynicismKills

Gusto said:
That's not a man! It's a giant CHICKEN!

Oh Chicken-Boo.

Apr 9, 2010#41

Gusto

He wears a disguise to look like human guys.

Apr 9, 2010#42

Violent Drunk Ray Romano

But you're not a man, you're a Chicken Boo.

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