Abstract
Hypnosis has never been adequately explained in terms of conceptual framework of most schools of psychotherapy. The psychoanalytic concept that it consists of submission and surrender of important ego functions to the therapist does not explain all observed facts. During my wartime studies and since, I have been impressed by the observation that the patient’s ego is by no means powerless and defenseless, even during a deep state of trance, i.e., in states of trance sufficiently deep to eliminate awareness of painful body injuries (1965). Erickson (1954) has shown on many occasions that in resistant subjects one of the best ways to induce trance is to encourage the patient to resist as much as he can. Haley (1963) has pointed out in detail that at the beginning of any hypnotic relationship there evolves a subtle battle for “one-upmanship.” These observations certainly show that surrender in the psychological sense is by no means an aspect of even the most successfully induced trance states.
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References
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Additional information
This paper appeared in Volume 1, No. 3 ofConditional Reflex. It is reproduced here because it attempts a reconciliation of the views of Pavlov and on Freud as to mechanisms involved in hypnosis and the mental significance thereof. Further this paper bears on a currently popular dilemma: to what extent is homosexuality genetically determined and to what extent the result of conditioning experiences?
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Alexander, L. Conditional reflexes as related to hypnosis and hypnotic techniques. Integrative Physiological and Behavioral Science 27, 371–374 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02691171
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02691171