CMH CMH History & Theory of Hypnosis 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The concept of 'ideomotor response' in hypnosis refers to:
- Unconscious muscle movements triggered by thought or suggestion (Correct answer)
- Conscious deliberate movement
- Eye-roll reflexes during induction
- Rapid eye movement during trance
Correct answer: Unconscious muscle movements triggered by thought or suggestion
Ideomotor responses are small, involuntary muscle movements that occur as a result of thoughts or mental images, often used in hypnosis for yes/no signaling.
Question 2: Which theoretical model describes hypnosis as a 'hidden observer' phenomenon where one part of the mind monitors experience while another part responds to suggestions?
- Hilgard's neo-dissociation theory (Correct answer)
- Social role theory
- Relaxation response model
- Cognitive-behavioral model
Correct answer: Hilgard's neo-dissociation theory
Ernest Hilgard proposed neo-dissociation theory, suggesting hypnosis splits consciousness so a 'hidden observer' part remains aware while another part follows suggestions.
Question 3: In the Hypnotic Induction Profile (HIP), a high eye-roll sign is associated with:
- High hypnotic susceptibility (Correct answer)
- Low hypnotic susceptibility
- Resistance to suggestion
- Deep somnambulism only
Correct answer: High hypnotic susceptibility
Herbert Spiegel's HIP measures how high the iris rolls up when looking upward; a pronounced eye-roll correlates with greater hypnotic talent and susceptibility.
Question 4: The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale (SHSS) was developed primarily to:
- Measure and standardize individual hypnotic responsiveness for research (Correct answer)
- Train practitioners in induction techniques
- Assess therapeutic outcomes
- Determine contraindications for hypnosis
Correct answer: Measure and standardize individual hypnotic responsiveness for research
Weitzenhoffer and Hilgard developed the SHSS to provide a standardized, research-validated tool for measuring how responsive individuals are to hypnotic suggestions.
Question 5: The concept of 'somnambulism' in hypnosis refers to:
- A deep hypnotic state where subjects exhibit heightened responsiveness and may not recall the session (Correct answer)
- Light relaxation
- Waking hypnosis
- Post-hypnotic amnesia only
Correct answer: A deep hypnotic state where subjects exhibit heightened responsiveness and may not recall the session
Somnambulism is a deep level of hypnotic trance characterized by intense focus, high suggestibility, and often amnesia for the session upon awakening.
Question 6: Theodore Sarbin's social role theory of hypnosis contends that hypnotic behavior is best explained by:
- Role enactment driven by social expectations and imagination (Correct answer)
- A true altered state of brain function
- Subconscious dissociation
- Selective attention and relaxation
Correct answer: Role enactment driven by social expectations and imagination
Sarbin argued that hypnotic subjects are not in a special trance but are enacting the social role of 'hypnotized person' guided by beliefs, expectations, and imaginative involvement.
CMH CMH History & Theory of Hypnosis 2
The concept of 'ideomotor response' in hypnosis refers to: