Abstract
Most people are unfamiliar with hypnosis and believe that it is a mysterious and powerful procedure conducted to control one’s mind. This paper explores the diverse topics of hypnosis developed throughout time by various scientists. The introduction consists of the origin of modern era of hypnosis, and the body of evolution of hypnosis from throughout history to the twenty first century. Studies conducted on this topic by early scientist such as Sigmund Freud, Emile Coue, Ernest Hilgard, Nicholas Spanos, and others are discussed, as well as more modern studies by Dave Elman, Clark Hull and Milton Erickson. The purpose of this paper is to examine and clarify the distinct types of hypnosis developed throughout time as well as the …show more content…
Content in this paper is the result of the explored reports from various published sources provided in the reference section of this paper as well as some others.
The Evolution of Hypnosis Throughout Time and The Role of Hypnosis in The Study of Human Behavior.
Most people are familiar with the alterations in consciousness related to sleeping and dreaming. Hypnosis is another phenomenon linked to altered states of consciousness. The modern era of hypnosis and hypnotherapy is first introduced by the Viennese physician, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) who is credited for bringing psychology into science from the “realm of witchcraft and devil possessions” (Hock, p. 57); beliefs which existed during his time. In the late 18th century, Mesmer conducted a magnetic treatment on a female patient and claimed he perceived fluid flowing through the patient’s body, the flow of the fluid believed to be affected by his own will. Being a believer in the influences of astronomy and magnetics on human health, this physician named the fluid “Animal Magnetism”. When Mesmer introduced his theory of animal magnetism to the public, he …show more content…
It is so large that twenty people can easily sit round it; near the edge of the lid which covers it, there are holes pierced corresponding to the number of persons who are to surround it; into these holes are introduced iron rods, bent at right angles outwards, and of different heights, so as to answer to the part of the body to which they are to be applied. Besides these rods, there is a rope which communicates between the baquet and one of the patients, and from him is carried to another, and so on the whole round. The most sensible effects are produced on the approach of Mesmer, who is said to convey the fluid by certain motions of his hands or eyes, without touching the person. I have talked with several who have witnessed these effects, who have convulsions occasioned and removed by a movement of the hand...” (Searle, 2013). The physician’s popular theory captured the attention of King Louis XVI in the year 1784, leading the King to appoint doctors from the Royal Faculty of Medicine and representatives from the Royal Academy of Sciences such as “…the chemist Antoine Lavoisier – discoverer of oxygen and hydrogen; Dr.Joseph Guillotin – co-founder of the Academy of Medicine in Paris and the inventor of the guillotine; astronomer Jean Bailly – a senior member of the French Academy of Sciences who studied the moons of Jupiter; and American scientist and Ambassador
Most people are unfamiliar with hypnosis and believe that it is a mysterious and powerful procedure conducted to control one’s mind. This paper explores the diverse topics of hypnosis developed throughout time by various scientists. The introduction consists of the origin of modern era of hypnosis, and the body of evolution of hypnosis from throughout history to the twenty first century. Studies conducted on this topic by early scientist such as Sigmund Freud, Emile Coue, Ernest Hilgard, Nicholas Spanos, and others are discussed, as well as more modern studies by Dave Elman, Clark Hull and Milton Erickson. The purpose of this paper is to examine and clarify the distinct types of hypnosis developed throughout time as well as the …show more content…
Content in this paper is the result of the explored reports from various published sources provided in the reference section of this paper as well as some others.
The Evolution of Hypnosis Throughout Time and The Role of Hypnosis in The Study of Human Behavior.
Most people are familiar with the alterations in consciousness related to sleeping and dreaming. Hypnosis is another phenomenon linked to altered states of consciousness. The modern era of hypnosis and hypnotherapy is first introduced by the Viennese physician, Franz Anton Mesmer (1734-1815) who is credited for bringing psychology into science from the “realm of witchcraft and devil possessions” (Hock, p. 57); beliefs which existed during his time. In the late 18th century, Mesmer conducted a magnetic treatment on a female patient and claimed he perceived fluid flowing through the patient’s body, the flow of the fluid believed to be affected by his own will. Being a believer in the influences of astronomy and magnetics on human health, this physician named the fluid “Animal Magnetism”. When Mesmer introduced his theory of animal magnetism to the public, he …show more content…
It is so large that twenty people can easily sit round it; near the edge of the lid which covers it, there are holes pierced corresponding to the number of persons who are to surround it; into these holes are introduced iron rods, bent at right angles outwards, and of different heights, so as to answer to the part of the body to which they are to be applied. Besides these rods, there is a rope which communicates between the baquet and one of the patients, and from him is carried to another, and so on the whole round. The most sensible effects are produced on the approach of Mesmer, who is said to convey the fluid by certain motions of his hands or eyes, without touching the person. I have talked with several who have witnessed these effects, who have convulsions occasioned and removed by a movement of the hand...” (Searle, 2013). The physician’s popular theory captured the attention of King Louis XVI in the year 1784, leading the King to appoint doctors from the Royal Faculty of Medicine and representatives from the Royal Academy of Sciences such as “…the chemist Antoine Lavoisier – discoverer of oxygen and hydrogen; Dr.Joseph Guillotin – co-founder of the Academy of Medicine in Paris and the inventor of the guillotine; astronomer Jean Bailly – a senior member of the French Academy of Sciences who studied the moons of Jupiter; and American scientist and Ambassador