Hyperempiria, a New “Altered State of Consciousness” Induced by Suggestion

Abstract

If the perception of one's own awareness is a subjective phenomenon, then trance-induction procedures may be devised which avoid the negative stereotypes and implicit authoritarian connotations which are inherent in the concept of hypnosis, while simultaneously facilitating responsiveness to suggestion. Previous attempts to accomplish this by modifications of the traditional hypnotic paradigm are discussed, and a new paradigm and induction procedure are presented.If hypnotizability is essentially role-taking aptitude, as asserted by Sarbin and Coe (1972), and if the cognitive determinants of hypnotic ability are to be found in S's attitudes, motivations, and expectancies and in his ability to think along with and vividly imagine the suggestions he is given, as Barber (1972) has stated, then the use of suggestion to implement new role patterns which do not fit the traditional hypnotic paradigm should be a fairly simple procedure. If the perception of one's own awareness is a subjective phenomenon or an epiphenomenon, as behaviorists have long maintained, then the total number of possible role patterns involving "altered states" (or altered experiences) of consciousness which may be induced by means of suggestion should be roughly equivalent to the number of definitions of such states which it is possible to conceive or to imagine; for each of these imagined definitions may be communicated to a responsive S in the form of suggestions which define for him the nature of the changes which he is about to undergo in the perception of his own awareness.It is commonly known that the traditional "hypnotic" or sleeping trance behaviors were first manifested by people who were imitating the behavior of the retarded Victor Emmanuel, who was too stupid to realize that he was supposed to go into convulsions while standing under a "magnetized" elm tree on the estate of the Marquis de Puy&gur and went to sleep instead (Gibbons, 1973, p. 5 ) . However, Ss who possess a high degree of role-taking aptitude and who are able to think along with and imagine vividly the suggestions which they are given should easily be able to adopt new forms of rrance-like behavior without requiring another Victor Emmanuel to model the appropriate responses for them! Considering the wide variety of induction methods currently employed, the absence of any reliable physiological correlates of hypnosis, and the speed with which hypnosis may be re-induced, the only essential prerequisites for a suc-'An earlier version of this paper was presented at meetings of the Society for Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, Newport Beach, Calif., December, 1973.

Applied Hypnosis and Hyperempiria

“…If a dentist were merely to suggest to a patient that he would not experience any pain during a tooth extraction, for instance, with no induction administered beforehand, it is not likely that such a suggestion would be effective by itself, regardless of how responsive to suggestion the patient happened to be. But if the dentist were first to suggest that the patient was "entering a trance," and then he suggested that the patient would feel no pain, the latter suggestion could be actualized much more easily because it would then be much more credible (Gibbons, 1974).…”

“…Rather than concluding that these techniques are all variations of "hypnosis," it is more accurate to describe them as changes in perceived awareness which are brought about by means of suggestion, and which differ from hypnosis in the same way that they differ from each other: in the specific phenomenological content of the changes in perceived awareness which are either directly suggested or implied by the procedure which is utilized to bring about such changes, and, hence, in the "feel" of the resulting subjective experience of trance, and in the effect of that experience upon the subsequent thought and behavior of the subject who undergoes it (Gibbons, 1974). A highly responsive hypnotic subjectmay feel as if he has been unconscious, for example, and report that he remembers nothing of the events which transpired while he was supposedly under the influence of the "trance" (unless he has been previously told that he is not supposed to feel that way in hypnosis, or it has been specifically suggested to him that he will remember everything), whereas a student undergoing an advanced form of yogic training may feel as if he is merging with infinite reality!…”

“…Rather than inquiring how many alterations in perceived awareness it is possible to induce by means of suggestion (de Ropp, 1968;Fischer, 1971), or how one might go about measuring their purported "depth" (Hilgard, 1965;Spiegel, 1977)-which is, after all, pointless when one is dealing with subjective experiences for which new phenomenological dimensions can be invented, suggested, and consequently experienced by sufficiently responsive subjects virtually at will (Gibbons, 1973(Gibbons, , 1974-it is more appropriate to inquire how such experiences may best be defined and guided to fulfill their primary purpose, which is to assist the subject in achieving an increased measure of self-awareness and self-control.…”

“…I tell the subject that he will remain fully conscious during the entire procedure, and that he will remember everything that occurs. If a hyperempiric or alertness induction is to be employed, I tell the subject that hyperempiria may be regarded as the opposite of traditional hypnosis, in the sense that I will be helping him to realize an expanded sense of awareness instead of his undergoing an experience which outwardly resembles sleep (Gibbons, 1973(Gibbons, , 1974. I also explain that the "best" trance subjects tend to be normal, well-adjusted individuals who are easily able to lose themselves in 22 sports, music, and nature, or in reading a good novel or watching a motion picture; and that those who are not able to derive at least some benefit from a trance induction generally tend to be uptight, rigid, or compulsive personalities who find it virtually impossible to "let go."…”

“…The suggestions that the subject is being hypnotized are then either implicit in the situation or they are communicated indirectly by means of gestures or tone of voice. However, some subjects are still likely to think to themselves, "This is something like hypnosis," or, "This is just another way to hypnotize me," particularly if the suggestor has a reputation as a hypnotist (Gibbons, 1974). Thus, although some otherwise refractory subjects may respond to such a "disguised" approach, it is usually simpler to employ a hyperempiric induction.…”