Hypnosis And Human Development

I often think that learning hypnosis is like learning to play the piano - more art as an art or technique . Many children in the United Kingdom, at least , take the piano, only a small percentage receive even higher degree . Fewer still play and use what they have learned. Fewer still live it .

Hypnotherapy training began was very demanding and the dropout rate is high. In other words , students often complete the picture, but fail to advance to the next level . Only two of us in my group was the first step in the final phase.

And some of those who rush end to abandon the use of hypnosis or relegated to the rank of technical for occasional use - perhaps when all else fails ! It is a great shame - the experience or practice is so important, so vital. I'm sure a lot of potential therapists hypnosis give up because they did not really understand or have not acquired the practice and experience to use it effectively .

Perhaps this is understandable. Books, articles and teaching materials often do not lose a lot of light on the phenomenon of hypnosis is . You can learn hypnosis more than one book you can learn to play the Waldstein Sonata a set of written instructions. Competition comes from experience . A great pianist can make even a simple composition as a masterpiece. A truly competent hypnotist can get results with any technique .

Yet when it comes to the phenomenon of hypnosis, you can not deny that there are many misunderstandings and theoretical contradictions. More importantly, there is little real understanding of hypnosis as a natural phenomenon. "Standard" that the medical and dental Hartland hypnosis is still considered a reference text is a source of great sadness and frustration for me.

So when I came across an article by Professor Brian Vandenberg , a psychology professor at the University of Missouri - St. Louis, to discuss the role of hypnosis in human development I felt nothing but surprise and relief. Finally there was an article by a psychologist and an academic leader who was willing to discuss hypnosis as a natural phenomenon, as something that is part of our lives, whether we realize it or not. I have long been convinced of this and I have often said that as a therapist, I spend most of my time trying to undo the harmful effects of hypnosis, which took place without the customer s' accountable in any way. What I mean here is the people , children , said they are useless, or coarse , or bad, or ugly, or unattractive, and these suggestions have absorbed toxic and carried them in their life adults, when these principles - suggestions havoc absorbed. I mean people who say repeatedly that they can not do this or that , they never do , and allowed these tips to avoid restricting your freedom of choice and the opportunity to develop their potential in a number of different ways.

The article is titled hypnosis and human development affect interpersonal intrapersonal process ( Child Development Vol 69 No 1 February 1988 . ) . In the following paragraphs provide a brief summary of the article, but I offer it with the caveat that any summary is a distortion . Inevitably omit many details.

The purpose of Article Vandenberg is to explore the relationship between hypnosis and the development of early childhood. But this means having a much broader view of the phenomenon of hypnosis which generally meets the standard literature on the subject or as part of formal education in hypnotherapy . As a Vandenberg said , children are often sensitive to the formal hypnotic induction until fairly late in childhood. The relationship between hypnosis and child development is important because hypnosis is a powerful and ubiquitous phenomenon . To understand how hypnosis can influence the development of personality and character is essential to learn something about the nature of ourselves as human beings . The purpose of this paper is twofold: to explore the role of hypnosis in child development and to examine the phenomenon of hypnosis outside the context of formal induction to view hypnosis work outside the therapy room .

How can you be hypnotized a young child ? In fact, this is something that parents and caregivers do all the time , naturally and without any specialized training ! Every parent has had the experience of picking up a crying baby or child in distress and soothing and comforting , even to the point of sleep, rocking, stroking , sing and talk about him. But the words used do not matter much - baby / child listen to the rhythm, pitch and tone of the language instead of attending to the meaning of words. OK - So here we have an informal hypnotic induction and non-verbal , but still recognizable. But what will surprise many readers much Vandenberg item , even those who have a professional interest in hypnosis is that the assumptions of the author about the nature of hypnosis beyond even this .

For Vandenberg , hypnosis is " a process of communication through which people allow others to assume a certain degree of control over the organization , guidance and interpretation of experience" - permission to quote directly from the article kindly granted by the author. Note that there is no mention of the word "trance" here , and any change in the quality of consciousness involves more than stated . Moreover, the definition of hypnosis as a process effectively eliminates the distinction between the ways in which a person is a leader in hypnosis and the new interpretation of the resulting experience . However, I still think it is reasonable to speak of a change in the quality of consciousness here . influenced by friends, colleagues , family members or authority figures that the child gets to see the world in a way that is different from experience a mature , adult hypnotized. a child, for example , may experience your fantasy game or situation of 100 " real "% , while adults or viewers will have a different perspective .

For Vandenberg , hypnosis is less intermittent alteration of consciousness, the more real stage in human development , some properties that can be re- raised to adulthood by conventional hypnotic induction. Therefore, the four essential characteristics of hypnosis are themselves an integral part of development.

Firstly , both hypnosis and shared experience of growth, development and maturation will allow a person to live the Vandenberg called the " temporary nature of the experience. " In the elderly , hypnosis can undermine our belief in the reality of sensory and emotional experience. Use hypnoanalgesia not feel the pain in situations where we feel pain. Hypnosis can change the way we think about ourselves. Also, as we grow, we become increasingly aware of a discontinuity of experience. Children experience "reality" to play with friends and peers is inherently different from the reality in situations like classroom school or in adult society .

Second, the inculcation of beliefs common to both hypnosis and the early stages of development. In hypnosis , the hypnotist can have a great influence on the beliefs of hypnosis. The antics of hypnotists , we are very familiar , prove it . And push children absorb and accept , at a higher level - rational , religious belief , ethical and political foundations of society and culture in which they find themselves . When individuals become fully rational adults may question these beliefs. Very often they do not .

Third, hypnosis ( hypnotic induction , hypnotherapy ) often involved the use of indirect suggestion is unconsciously ( ie non - conscious) on the subject. Suggestions for hypnotic induction can be integrated into a text which, at first glance, may seem to have nothing to do with hypnosis. Aspects of the question of referring a client may be indirect , but effective , led by the use of metaphor , narrative or images. Growing - and often beyond - people are often influenced by means of which they suspect not . Children can take the taste , modal values ​​a role model without being in any way aware of what they do. It is , of course, a wide area. Advertisers , politicians, spin -doctors , the fashion gurus , the opinion of one sort or another all trying to influence people indirectly , so that the person does not feel exploited or compromised in any manner.

Fourth, the most spectacular and striking characteristic of hypnosis is that Vandenberg called " intrapsychic processes based inviolable " as sensation, perception and memory can be influenced , changed or even destroyed by something that is simple and monotonous speech . There is no magic wand , no clouds of smoke, only ordinary speech . in terms of human development, children rely on " directives, orders and suggestions significant others to ensure interpretation , organization and direction of his thoughts and experiences. " The results of this process are , in their own way , no less spectacular effects , magnificent and disturbing induced hypnosis : people become Christians, Muslims , atheists , followers of Labour or Conservative party , Republicans or Democrats , communist or fascist , without doubt that become so by the free and rational choice alone.

Obviously, this raises profound questions about the nature of hypnosis. In his conclusion, Vandenberg describes hypnosis as " reminiscent of childhood. " However, if he is right , hypnosis is a part of childhood . Perhaps could be characterized as a stage of development . The result is powerful. Increased suggestibility of children can be manipulated for malicious purposes , as well as positive . However, the implications for education, development and autonomy are huge and exciting.

Article Vandenberg is a plan - or a map of a territory to explore. My only criticism is the apparent reluctance of the author to say more about the nature of hypnosis. The proposed working definition , quoted above , seems a bit too loose. The goal is , but white seems to be missing . What is the nature of the suggestion ? How and what to say about it ? If we can not answer these questions , then we'll come to an understanding of the nature of hypnosis - and perhaps also music .