A theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition

Barrios, Alfred A.

doi:10.1002/ch.230

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…The contribution of hypnosis to an integrative approach for treatment of a variety of physical and psychological problems is acknowledged as an effective way to produce therapeutic behavior change Barrios, 2001;Gafner & Benson, 2001;Gruzelier, 2000;Medd, 2001;Nash, 2001;Spencer, 2000;Warner, Barabasz, & Barabasz, 2000). Instruments and methods for discerning the facts of hypnosis are available, and research on hypnosis is published in selective scientific and medical journals (Nash, 2001;Spencer, 2000).…”

Section: Hypnosis Hypnosis Hypnosis Hypnosis Hypnosismentioning

confidence: 96%

Hypnotic Psychotherapy With Sex Offenders

Moseley

Briggs

Magnus

2005

J Addict Offender Couns

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Section: Hypnosis Hypnosis Hypnosis Hypnosis Hypnosismentioning

confidence: 96%

Hypnotic Psychotherapy With Sex Offenders

Moseley

Briggs

Magnus

2005

J Addict Offender Couns

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“…In the theory (Barrios, 2001) a hypnotic induction is defi ned as the giving of a series of suggestions so that a positive response to a previous suggestion predisposes the subject to respond more strongly to the next suggestion. Hypnosis is defi ned then as the state of heightened suggestibility, also referred to as a state of heightened belief, produced by a hypnotic induction.…”

Section: Summary Of the Theorymentioning

confidence: 99%

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AbstractThis article places in the contemporary context 'A theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition', published earlier in Contemporary Hypnosis (Barrios, 2001). The commentary is in two parts.

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Commentary on a theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition Part I: contrasts with other perspectives and supporting evidence

Barrios¹

2007

Contemporary Hypnosis

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This article places in the contemporary context 'A theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition', published earlier in Contemporary Hypnosis (Barrios, 2001). The commentary is in two parts. Here in Part I, following a succinct summary of the theory, there are two sections: (1) contrasting the theory with three other major perspectives in the fi eld, the Sociocognitive, the Dissociation/Neo-Dissociation, and the Response-Expectancy perspectives as well as with Erickson's strategic approach to therapy; and (2) some of the supporting research subsequent to the theory's fi rst evolution (1969) Key words: conditioning, hypnosis, hypnotic phenomena, inhibition, belief Summary of the theoryIn the theory (Barrios, 2001) a hypnotic induction is defi ned as the giving of a series of suggestions so that a positive response to a previous suggestion predisposes the subject to respond more strongly to the next suggestion. Hypnosis is defi ned then as the state of heightened suggestibility, also referred to as a state of heightened belief, produced by a hypnotic induction. What occurs during a hypnotic induction to increase suggestibility is a process of conditioning of an inhibitory set. The latter increases responsiveness to suggestion by inhibiting thoughts and stimuli which would contradict the suggested response. The more effective the hypnotic induction, the greater this inhibitory set.It is postulated that at any point in time there are any number of stimuli (both cognitive and sensory) that one can be responsive to, some more strongly than others. This is referred to as the stimulus dominance hierarchy. The various hypnotic and post-hypnotic phenomena can be explained in terms of how the inhibitory set can rearrange the dominant position of a particular stimulus (cognitive or sensory) focused on by the suggestion. Post-hypnotic behaviour changes are explained as produced through a process of higherorder conditioning where the inhibitory set facilitates such conditioning by suppressing any dominant stimuli present (cognitive or sensory) that would interfere with the intended conditioning.From the theory, a number of ways can be deduced for increasing responsiveness to suggestion and thereby increasing the effectiveness of hypnotic induction. These include: the amplifi cation of minute responses to suggestion such as with the use of biofeedback

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The sociocognitive and conditioning and inhibition theories of hypnosis

Lynn

O'Hagen

2009

Contemporary Hypnosis

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has contributed a useful theory of hypnosis (Barrios, 2001), as well as a more recent commentary ) that compares and contrasts the 'sociocognitive, dissociation/neo-dissociation, and response expectancy perspectives' with his theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition. All too rarely do theorists provide an analysis of their approach vis-à-vis competing accounts, so we applaud Barrios's efforts in this regard. Our commentary will focus on his recent discussion of the sociocognitive theory of hypnosis, rather than on his observations regarding biofeedback, placebos, faith healing and other phenomena presented in a second commentary on his theory (Barrios, 2007b).Sociocognitive theories reject the traditional view that hypnotic experiences require the presence of an altered state of consciousness. Rather, the same social and cognitive variables that determine mundane complex social behaviours are said to determine hypnotic responses and experiences. Still, sociocognitive theories of hypnosis are not monolithic, as Barrios's commentary might be taken to imply: they are differently nuanced and variously emphasize participants': (a) enactment of the social role of a hypnotized person (William Coe, Theodore Sarbin); (b) attitudes and beliefs about hypnosis, fantasy involvements and motivated engagement with imaginative suggestions (T.X. Barber); (c) cognitive strategies, goal-directed activities and interpretation of suggestions (John Chaves, Nicholas Spanos, Graham Wagstaff); and (d) expectancies, response sets and automatic responses in everyday actions (Irving Kirsch, Steven Jay Lynn).Barrios distinguishes sociocognitive theory from the response set theory and the response expectancy theory of hypnosis. However, the latter perspectives sit fi rmly in the camp of sociocognitive theory (Lynn, Kirsch and Hallquist, 2008). Moreover, response set theory -which emphasizes the automaticity of responses -and response expectancy theory, are related yet distinct perspectives. Kirsch and Lynn, 1997, 1999;Lynn, 1997) developed response set theory collaboratively as an extension of Kirsch's (1991) response expectancy theory and Lynn's (Lynn and Rhue, 1991) integrative model. Given that Barrios explicitly acknowledges the important role of expectancies and beliefs about hypnosis, as well as motivation and imagination, his theory falls under the broad umbrella of sociocognitive approaches, despite the fact that Barrios argues that in some circumstances, it is possible to speak of an hypnotic state.Barrios notes that both his perspective and sociocognitive theory 'discuss the importance of the part played by individual differences' in responding to suggestions. However, a primary task of any theory of hypnosis is to account for individual differences in suggestibility. Barrios contends that the age of the subject and the prestige of the hypnotist in the eyes of the subject contribute to individual differences, yet are variables neglected in sociocognitive theories. It is true that participants' age has n...

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A theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition

Cited by 12 publications

References 73 publications

Hypnotic Psychotherapy With Sex Offenders

Hypnotic Psychotherapy With Sex Offenders

Commentary on a theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition Part I: contrasts with other perspectives and supporting evidence

The sociocognitive and conditioning and inhibition theories of hypnosis

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