Psychological research has been conducted on the use of sensory deprivation techniques since the early 1930s (Raz, 2013). Throughout the years, research has shifted from studies funded by military intelligence agencies to discover interrogation and brainwashing techniques to therapeutic uses for relaxation and pain relief (Raz, 2013; Bood et al., 2006). Sensory deprivation can be defined as any method that limits the; subject’s ability to input any stimuli related to touch, taste, smell, sound or sight. Methods to create situations where subjects were deprived of sensory input varied widely throughout the years; with subjects placed in barren rooms with no light, sound or human contact to the more modern use of sensory deprivation tanks
…show more content…
Donald Hebb, primates were raised in total darkness to study the effects of sensory deprivation on cognitive abilities and brain development (Hebb, 1980, Milner & Milner, 1996; Brown & Milner, 2003). Many psychologists in the 1940s-1960s continued to pursue how sensory deprivation could be used to change people’s attitudes and behaviors. Research found that sensory deprivation when used for interrogation or torture could lead to a brainwashing effect. Dr. Hebb found that when subjects went through sensory deprivation for extended periods of time that they were more receptive to attitude changes, behavioral changes and internalizing external messages as their own thoughts (Hebb, Heron, & Baxton, 1952). Many intelligence agencies felt that this method could assist in brainwashing prisoners. Psychiatrists often thought that this method could speed up therapy because healthier thoughts could replace damaging thought patterns (McCoy, …show more content…
The intention behind how the method is implemented really determines whether it benefits an individual or not. Long term consequences in the brain occur when humans are isolated from others and deprived of all their senses which are not just limited to hallucinations, delusions or disorientation (Hebb, Heron, & Baxton, 1952). Instead of benefitting the individual, early research into sensory deprivation was primarily done to determine how to brainwash individuals during interrogation (Rosner, 2010). However, when used for the purpose of relaxation, stress and pain relief, current research has yielded long-lasting benefits where individuals still experience stress and pain relief long after they have stopped use of the REST environment (Bood, Kjellgren, & Norlander,
Donald Hebb, primates were raised in total darkness to study the effects of sensory deprivation on cognitive abilities and brain development (Hebb, 1980, Milner & Milner, 1996; Brown & Milner, 2003). Many psychologists in the 1940s-1960s continued to pursue how sensory deprivation could be used to change people’s attitudes and behaviors. Research found that sensory deprivation when used for interrogation or torture could lead to a brainwashing effect. Dr. Hebb found that when subjects went through sensory deprivation for extended periods of time that they were more receptive to attitude changes, behavioral changes and internalizing external messages as their own thoughts (Hebb, Heron, & Baxton, 1952). Many intelligence agencies felt that this method could assist in brainwashing prisoners. Psychiatrists often thought that this method could speed up therapy because healthier thoughts could replace damaging thought patterns (McCoy, …show more content…
The intention behind how the method is implemented really determines whether it benefits an individual or not. Long term consequences in the brain occur when humans are isolated from others and deprived of all their senses which are not just limited to hallucinations, delusions or disorientation (Hebb, Heron, & Baxton, 1952). Instead of benefitting the individual, early research into sensory deprivation was primarily done to determine how to brainwash individuals during interrogation (Rosner, 2010). However, when used for the purpose of relaxation, stress and pain relief, current research has yielded long-lasting benefits where individuals still experience stress and pain relief long after they have stopped use of the REST environment (Bood, Kjellgren, & Norlander,