Understanding Psychology (10th Ed)

Study Alert
The question of whether hyp-
nosis represents a diff erent 
state of consciousness or is 
similar to normal waking 
consciousness is a key issue.
feL82795_ch05_138-171.indd Page 155 7/22/10 5:51 PM user-f465
feL82795_ch05_138-171.indd Page 155 7/22/10 5:51 PM user-f465
/Users/user-f465/Desktop
/Users/user-f465/Desktop

---

156 Chapter 
5 
States of Consciousness
As arguments about the true nature of hypnosis continue, though, one thing 
is clear: Hypnosis has been used successfully to solve practical human problems. 
In fact, psychologists working in many different areas have found hypnosis to be 
a reliable, effective tool. It has been applied to a number of areas, including the 
following:
• Controlling pain . Patients suffering from chronic pain may be given the sugges-
tion, while hypnotized, that their pain is gone or reduced. They also may be 
taught to hypnotize themselves to relieve pain or gain a sense of control over 
their symptoms. Hypnosis has proved to be particularly useful during child-
birth and dental procedures (Accardi & Milling, 2009; Hammond, 2007; 
Mehl-Madrona, 2004).
• Reducing smoking . Although it hasn’t been successful in stopping drug and 
alcohol abuse, hypnosis sometimes helps people stop smoking through 
hypnotic suggestions that the taste and smell of cigarettes are unpleasant 
(Elkins et al., 2006; Fuller, 2006; Green, Lynn, & Montgomery, 2008).
• Treating psychological disorders . Hypnosis sometimes is used during 
treatment for psychological disorders. For example, it may be employed 
to heighten relaxation, reduce anxiety, increase expectations of success, or 
modify self-defeating thoughts (Golden, 2006; Iglesias, 2005; Zarren 
& Eimer, 2002).
• Assisting in law enforcement . Witnesses and victims are sometimes better able to 
recall the details of a crime when hypnotized. In one often-cited case, a 
witness to the kidnapping of a group of California schoolchildren was placed 
under hypnosis and was able to recall all but one digit of the license number 
on the kidnapper’s vehicle. However, hypnotic recollections may also be 
inaccurate, just as other recollections are often inaccurate. Consequently, the 
legal status of hypnosis is unresolved (Kazar, 2006; Knight & Meyer, 2007; 
Whitehouse et al., 2005).
• Improving athletic performance . Athletes sometimes turn to hypnosis to 
improve their performance. For example, some baseball players have used 
hypnotism to increase their concentration when batting, with considerable 
success (Barker & Jones, 2008; Grindstaff & Fisher, 2006; Lindsay, Maynard, 
& Thomas, 2005).
Meditation: Regulating Our Own 
State of Consciousness
When traditional practitioners of the ancient Eastern religion of Zen Buddhism 
want to achieve greater spiritual insight, they turn to a technique that has been 
used for centuries to alter their state of consciousness. This technique is called 
meditation.