Hypnosis Research: A Methodological Critique of Experiments Generated by Two Alternative Paradigms

Spaños, Nicholas P.; Chaves, John F.

doi:10.1080/00029157.1970.10402090

Cited by 26 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…This paradigm has proved to be very useful, but it has also been adequately criticized (e.g. Chaves, 1968;Spanos and Chaves, 1970) due to the confounding of the antecedent variables caused by the different instructions given to the two groups (a problem also noted by Orne 1972). 8 Goal-directed fantasy (GDF) means imagined situations that, if they were to occur in reality, would involve an involuntary occurrence of the behaviour called for by a suggestion (Spanos, 1971; see also Lynn and Sivec, 1992).…”

Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 97%

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Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation

Kallio

Revonsuo

2003

Contemporary Hypnosis

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There is currently agreement that, in addition to the changes in external behaviour, suggestions presented in a hypnotic context may give rise to changes in subjective experience. Ye t, there is no general agreement about the theoretical framework within which these changes in experience should be explained. Though different theories about hypnosis overlap in many respects, there is still disagreement on whether reference to a specific internal state of the individual is necessary in order to explain these changes. We place the explanatory task in the context of a multilevel framework of explanation, which reveals that the disagreement between the 'state' and 'nonstate' view is about the level of description at which the phenomenon 'hypnosis' should be conceptualized. We propose a novel approach using the multilevel explanation which helps to formulate empirically testable hypotheses about the nature of hypnosis. We will outline the basic elements of such an approach and hope that our proposition will help hypnosis research to integrate with the multidisciplinary research on other phenomena of consciousness.

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Section: Notesmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Spanos and Chaves, 1970). They apply Occam's razor instead of postulating unnecessary (and mysterious) concepts such as 'trance' or 'altered state of consciousness' to explain something that can be explained without invoking such concepts.…”

Section: The State-nonstate Debatementioning

confidence: 97%

Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation

Kallio

Revonsuo

2003

Contemporary Hypnosis

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“…One major difficulty with the' 'hypnotic state" construct is that it is often denoted by the very behaviors it purports to explain (Barber, 1964Chaves, 1968;McPeake, 1968;Spanos, 1970;Spanos & Chaves, 1970. For example, the , 'hypnotic trance state" is said to be present when subjects respond to suggestions for limb rigidity, analgesia, amnesia, etc., and, turning around circularly, these responses to suggestions are "explained" by positing a "hypnotic trance state."…”

Section: Logical Considerationsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…An extensive series of studies, reviewed elsewhere Spanos & Chaves, 1970, indicates that response to suggestions is enhanced when subjects are first exposed to instructions that aim to motivate their performance. As pointed out earlier, brief task motivational instructions given to control subjects are generally as effective as a lengthy hypnotic induction procedure in heightening response to suggestions.…”

Section: Motivational Factors In Hypnosis and Behavior Therapymentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypnosis and Behavior Therapy: Common Denominators

Np¹,

1973

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis

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In this paper, the relationships between hypnosis and behavior therapy are examined on two levels. First, the authors consider the contention that a "hypnotic state" mediates some of the therapeutic changes that are seen in behavior therapy. Logical and empirical problems pertaining to the hypothetical construct "hypnotic state" or "trance" are specified and it is concluded that the construct is not useful in explaining the changes in behavior observed in either hypnotic situations or in behavior therapy situations. Secondly, the authors focus on parallels between hypnotic situations and those behavior therapy situations that make subjects' imaginings the pivot of therapeutic change. Four sets of variables are delineated that appear to play a role in mediating the changes in behavior seen in both hypnotic and behavior therapy situations: (a) motivational variables, (b) attitudinal and expectancy variables, (c) the specific wording of the suggestions or instructions, and (d) circumscribed cognitive processes (e.g., goal-directed imagining) occurring in response to the suggestions or instructions.

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“…There are two distinct paradigms in hypnosis research (Spanos and Chaves, 1970). The traditional trance paradigm typically involves a ^hypnotic induction', i.e.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hypnotherapy as a Treatment for Enuresis

Edwards

Spuy

1985

Child Psychology Psychiatry

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The main objective of this study was to provide an adequately controlled experimental and clinical study to assess the efficacy of hypnotherapy in the treatment of nocturnal enuresis. Subjects were 48 nocturnal enuretic boys, aged 8-13 yr. Treatment consisted of six standardized sessions, one hourly session per subject per week. Results indicated that hypnotherapy was significantly effective over 6 months in decreasing nocturnal enuresis, compared with both pretreatment baseline enuresis frequency and no-treatment controls. It also suggested that trance induction was not a necessary prerequisite for success. Comparison with other methods of treatment provided evidence that hypnotherapy was an effective alternative or adjunctive form of treatment for enuresis.

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Hypnosis Research: A Methodological Critique of Experiments Generated by Two Alternative Paradigms

Cited by 26 publications

References 59 publications

Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation

Hypnotic phenomena and altered states of consciousness: a multilevel framework of description and explanation

Hypnosis and Behavior Therapy: Common Denominators

Hypnotherapy as a Treatment for Enuresis

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