Critical Thinking Exercise

Hypnosis

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You must read each slide, and complete any questions on the slide, in sequence.
Critical Thinking Exercise
Hypnosis

Hypnosis refers to a collaborative interpersonal interaction in which a participant responds to suggestions made by a hypnotist. The suggestions, which involve and evoke the imagination, can produce changes in behavior, memory, perception, and thoughts. Although some believe that hypnosis represents a sleep state or trance, it is actually a highly focused, absorbed state of attention that can lead to vivid imagery, fantasies, and willingness to suspend one’s sense of initiative.

Research shows that hypnosis can help treat a wide variety of maladaptive behaviors, as well as some forms of mental illness or psychological distress, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is classified in the Diagnostic Statistics Manual, 5th edition (DSM-5, 2013) as a trauma and stress-related disorder. PTSD is usually associated with exposure to traumatic events such as child abuse, war and combat, sexual assault, car and plane accidents/crashes, terrorism, and natural disasters. The DSM-5 categorized symptoms of PTSD into four (4) clusters: intrusive symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, bad dreams); avoidance symptoms (e.g., avoiding settings, people, or objects that are reminders of trauma); negative alterations in cognitions and mood (e.g., feelings of emotional numbness); and alterations in arousal and reactivity (e.g., being easily startled, feeling “on edge”).

Abramowitz and Bonne (2013) found that hypnotherapy (a form of therapy that incorporates hypnotic techniques), including relaxation and exposure therapies, can be especially effective in treating PTSD. For example, hypnotherapy facilitates the process of working through traumatic memories, enhances coping strategies, and helps the traumatized individual develop a sense of control over his or her life.

Conduct an online search to locate an article about the use of hypnosis to treat a problem behavior (e.g., smoking, overeating) or a psychological disorder. Make sure the article was published within the last five to seven years. Please do not select PTSD for this activity, as it has already been described above.

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What problem behavior or disorder did you select? Include the URL for the Website that you used.
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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Explain how hypnosis can be used to treat that behavior or disorder.
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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According to your textbook, what are three possible explanations for hypnosis?
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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Can you think of instances in which hypnosis may be harmful to the individual?
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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Based on your research and the discussion in the textbook, do you believe that people can truly be hypnotized? Why or why not?
Your answer has been provisionally accepted. You'll get full credit for now, but your instructor may update your grade later after evaluating it.

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Hypnosis is
Hypnosis is

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combines therapeutic and hypnotic techniques.
combines therapeutic and hypnotic techniques.

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Some researchers argue that hypnosis is based on
, or the degree to which a person is able to experience an imaginary stage of affairs as if it were real.
Some researchers argue that hypnosis is based on
, or the degree to which a person is able to experience an imaginary stage of affairs as if it were real.