Subliminal processes,dissociation and the 'I'

The study of unconscious processes leads to the hypothesis of the limit of consciousness, which involves two main kinds of psychic activity. The first represents psychic contents which are subliminal for their low energy, the second subliminal contents which are inaccessible to consciousness because they are dissociated in the subliminal region. Dissociation is a concept introduced by Pierre Janet for splitting consciousness due to traumatic events or during hypnosis. It takes a more general form in Hilgard's neo-dissociation theory of hypnotic phenomena and also in Jung's theory of the collective unconscious. Further generalization links it to the modern findings of explicit and implicit perception, leading to a shift in dissociation from hypothesis to clinical, experimental and theoretical reality. Studies in hypnosis also point to the existence of an integrative psychic entity, that comprises the conscious 'I'. Hilgard called this the hidden observer, and his findings represent empirical confirmation of Jung's term for the Self as mirror 'I', which leads to many important consequences for self-discovery and the meaning of life.     

A laboratory analogue of mirrored-self misidentification delusion: The role of hypnosis,suggestion, and demand characteristics

Mirrored-self misidentification is the delusional belief that one’s own reflection in the mirror is a stranger. In two experiments, we tested the ability of hypnotic suggestion to model this condition. In Experiment 1, we compared two suggestions based on either the delusion’s surface features (seeing a stranger in the mirror) or underlying processes (impaired face processing). Fifty-two high hypnotisable participants received one of these suggestions either with hypnosis or without in a wake control. In Experiment 2, we examined the extent to which social cues and role-playing could account for participants’ behaviour by comparing the responses of 14 hypnotised participants to the suggestion for impaired face processing (reals) with those of 14 nonhypnotised participants instructed to fake their responses (simulators). Overall, results from both experiments confirm that we can use hypnotic suggestion to produce a compelling analogue of mirrored-self misidentification that cannot simply be attributed to social cues or role-playing.     

A community survey of psychological symptoms: evaluating evolutionary theories regarding shamanism and schizophrenia

Evolutionary theories regarding shamanism and schizophrenia provide hypotheses testable through analysis of survey data. A questionnaire, administered to a predominately African-American sample in North Carolina (N?=?965), surveyed schizotypal experience and other psychological symptoms, absorption and related psychological variables, childhood and adolescent difficulty, and incidence of unusual experiences (apparitions, paranormal dreams, waking ESP, out-of-body experience, near-death experience, sleep paralysis, UFOs, spiritual healing, and religious experiences). Study findings replicated Mirowsky's results regarding overlapping boundaries between psychiatric diagnoses. Findings also supported evolutionary hypotheses regarding correlations between schizotypal experiences, psychological variables related to shamanism, unusual experiences, and childhood/adolescent difficulty. Findings suggest use of religion-based cognitive behavioural therapy for distressed people reporting frequent unusual experiences.     

The moral power of suggestion: A history of suggestion in Japan, 1900–1930

In Japan, as in the west, suggestion theory was the predominant theory of hypnosis, and suggestive therapy was one of the most important, if not the most important, form of psychotherapy in the early 20th century. While the use of suggestion was met with objections on both scientific and moral grounds in the west, it was seen in a more positive light and has had a significant influence on the development of psychotherapy in Japan. With regard to the contexts of suggestion, suggestive power, suggestibility, and the effects of suggestion, this study will examine the distinctive conceptions and practices of suggestion developed by analogy with existing ideas about interpersonal influence, particularly with the concept of kanka (assimilative transformation) in Japan. They provide an interesting comparison to the western ideas of suggestion, helping us understand the historical and cultural particularity of western dynamic psychiatry and psychotherapy, particularly their presumptions about interpersonal influence.     

Varieties of relaxation methods and their unique effects

This paper reviews literature on specific effects of various relaxation methods, and of differences between varieties of two widely-used (and widely modified) methods: progressive relaxation and autogenic training. There is considerable evidence for modality-specific effects. Muscularly-oriented methods have the greatest effects on the musculoskeletal system, autonomically-oriented methods on the autonomic nervous system, etc. Modified methods of Jacobson's progressive relaxation technique have a greater cognitive and less muscular focus than Jacobson's original method, and Norris and Fahrion's autogenic feedback training de-emphasizes hypnotic components of autogenic training compared with Schultz and Luthe's original method. Hypotheses are presented regarding differential effects of these modifications on clinical outcome, on their appeal and usefulness to individuals with various personality profiles, and on possible negative side effects.     

Myths and misconceptions about hypnosis and suggestion: Separating fact and fiction

We present 21 prominent myths and misconceptions about hypnosis in order to promulgate accurate information and to highlight questions for future research. We argue that these myths and misconceptions have (a) fostered a skewed and stereotyped view of hypnosis among the lay public, (b) discouraged participant involvement in potentially helpful hypnotic interventions, and (c) impeded the exploration and application of hypnosis in scientific and practitioner communities. Myths reviewed span the view that hypnosis produces a trance or special state of consciousness and allied myths on topics related to hypnotic interventions; hypnotic responsiveness and the modification of hypnotic suggestibility; inducing hypnosis; and hypnosis and memory, awareness, and the experience of nonvolition. By demarcating myth from mystery and fact from fiction, and by highlighting what is known as well as what remains to be discovered, the science and practice of hypnosis can be advanced and grounded on a firmer empirical footing.     

Imaginative Suggestibility and Hypnotizability

More than a half-century of research aimed at identifying the predictors of hypnotic responding has been described as investigations of 'hypnotizability'. Most of that research, however, has disregarded the well-established findings that (a) people respond to suggestion without being hypnotized almost as much as they do following a hypnotic induction, and (b) nonhypnotic and hypnotic suggestibility are highly correlated. More recent studies have provided the first empirical data on predictors of individual differences in response to the induction of hypnosis. These studies indicate that individual differences in hypnotic suggestibility can be accounted for completely by nonhypnotic suggestibility, expectancy, motivation, and reaction time. Because the amount of variance accounted for is as great as the reliability of the hypnotic-suggestibility scale, and because nonhypnotic suggestibility has been controlled, no additional variables are necessary to account for hypnotic suggestibility.     

关于证人证词可靠性的研究

证人的错误证词是导致错误判案的重要原因,因此如何鉴定证人证词的可靠性,从中去伪存真,对司法实践具有非常重大的意义。为此本文从情境、个体心理、社会心理三个方面分析影响成年证人证词可靠性的因素,并在此基础上探究应该采取何种措施来提高证词的可靠性与准确性。     

癌症疼痛心理社会干预治疗的研究进展

癌症疼痛是一种复杂和多维的感受,与心理和社会因素相互影响。本文回顾近期国内外相关研究指出,许多重要的社会心理因素与疼痛有关,包括心理压力、应对方法、社会支持以及社会经济因素,它们是疼痛管理的难点。近期的国内外研究表明缓解癌痛的心理社会干预措施包括：疼痛教育、应对技能训练和催眠等,它们对疼痛治疗管理是有益的补充,同时抗抑郁药物应用对疼痛治疗有益。     

Mental Health Interventions in a General Hospital Following Terrorist Attacks

Abstract

Over three years of repeated terrorist attacks in Israel have shown that the victims suffering from acute stress syndromes constitute the bulk of the casualties. The large number of psychological victims presents an immediate problem of hospital surge capacity. The need for alleviating acute suffering and preventing chronic, disabling posttraumatic syndromes requires organizational and clinical skills. The article reviews deployment and intervention protocols for the treatment of victims and affected staff members in a general hospital setting.