HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis: A social interaction in which one person (the hypnotist)
suggests to another person (the subject) that certain perceptions,
feelings, thoughts, or behaviors will spontaneously occur.
Posthypnotic Amnesia: Supposed inability to recall what one
experienced during hypnosis; induced by the hypnotist's suggestion.
Posthypnotic Suggestion: A suggestion, made during hypnosis, to
be carried out after the subject is no longer hypnotized; used by some
clinicians to control undesired symptoms and behaviors (e.g., eat less,
quit smoking, feel less anxiety, etc.).Hypnosis does not improve
memory. In fact, it is likely to contaminate our memories.
It is, however, useful in relieving PAIN. Possibly due to
dissociation or a "split in consciousness". While part of the
person is still aware of the pain, the conscious part of the person is
not.
Theories of
Hypnosis
1. Divided Consciousness Theory: Suggests that dissociation
occurs during hypnosis. A "split" in consciousness occurs.
"Part" of the person is unaware of what is occurring, but another "part"
is aware. This part is called:
The Hidden Observer:
Hilgard's term describing a hypnotized person's awareness of
experiences, such as pain, that seem to go unreported during hypnosis.
2. Social Influence Theory: The subject simply becomes
caught up in the "role" of being a hypnotized person. It involves
role-playing, conformity, and obedience.
DRUGS AND CONSCIOUSNESS
Psychoactive Drug: A chemical substance that alters
perceptions and mood.
Tolerance: The diminishing effect with regular use of the same
dose of a drug; requiring the user to take larger and larger doses in
order to obtain the same effect.
Withdrawal: The discomfort and distress that follow discontinuing
the use of an addictive drug. |
Physical Dependence: A
physiological need for a drug, marked by unpleasant withdrawal symptoms
when the drug is discontinued.
Psychological Dependence: A psychological need to use a drug,
such as to relieve negative emotions.
Psychoactive Drugs
Depressants: Drugs (such as alcohol, barbiturates, and opiates) that
reduce neural activity and slow body functions.
Barbiturates: drugs that depress
the activity of the CNS, reducing anxiety but impairing memory and
judgment.
Opiates: Opium and its derivatives
(such as morphine and heroin); they depress neural activity, temporarily
lessening pain and anxiety.
Stimulants: Drugs (such as caffeine, nicotine, and the more
powerful amphetamines and cocaine) that excite neural activity and speed
up body functions.
Amphetamines: Drugs that stimulate
neural activity, causing speeded-up body functions and associated energy
and mood changes.
Ecstasy (MDMA): A synthetic
stimulant and mild hallucinogen. It produces short-term euphoria.
However, it harms serotonin-producing neurons causing long-term changes
in mood and cognitions.
Hallucinogens: Psychedelic ("mind-altering") drugs, such as LSD
and marijuana, that distort perceptions and may evoke sensory images in
the absence of sensory input (i.e., hallucinations).
THC: The major active ingredient in
marijuana.
NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCES
Near-death Experience: An altered state of consciousness reported
after a close brush with death (such as after a cardiac arrest); often
similar to drug-induced hallucinations.
Monism: The belief that mind and body are different aspects of
the same thing (when the body dies, so does the mind.
Dualism: The belief that mind and body are two distinct entities
(when the body dies, the mind may continue to exist).
See HANDOUTS |