How Hypnosis Helps
Hypnosis From An Evolutionary Perspective
This is a short summery of a chapter, written by Baruch Elitzur PhD., that is included in the book: "Hypnotize This! Secret Hypnosis Principles and Techniques" By Zali Segal
(www.hypnotizethis.com)
The original paper was selected as the "Best Theoretical Paper" at the 112th American Psychological Association Annual Convention, Division 30, 2004.
Evolutionary-psychology hypothesizes how character traits, emotions and behavioral patterns present in modern-day humans, have evolved to contribute to the survival of our ancestors. Stevens and Price (2000) wrote, "Darwinian paradigm is the bedrock on which all biological sciences are now based, and no psychological explanation can hope to survive if it is incompatible with it." (p.31)
Since the capacity to enter into a hypnotic trance is shared, to some degree, by all people, it is safe to assume that it is an inherent property, which played an important role in the survival of the fittest. There are many definitions of hypnosis; most of them include the following four elements: Focal Concentration, Heightened Suggestibility, Low Analytical Judgment and Imagination. It is suggested that each of these four elements contributed to the survival of our species.
The Contribution of Focal Concentration & Losing Concentration to Survival
We regard focal concentration as paramount during relaxation but diminishing in direct proportion to tension and anxiety. For example, students often complain that they tend to lose their concentration during tests that invoke tension and anxiety.
In order to clarify the contribution of focal concentration and losing concentration to survival, we recommend referring to concentration while relaxed as "Narrow Angle of Attention" and losing concentration while stressed as a "Wide Angle of Attention." We view attention as being on a continuum from a very narrow angle to a very wide one, up to 360 degrees. The following example may clarify our point of view. Let us imagine that one of our ancestors found a plant's root. In order to figure out whether this root is edible or poisonous, he would have to focus on the root (narrowing the angle of attention). That could only be done in a state of relaxation, achieved after verifying that there was no danger lurking in the vicinity. If suddenly a suspicious noise or movement were to occur, the level of stress hormone increased, and the angle of attention would widen in order to enable heightened alertness and a quick scan of the surroundings for potential danger.
During anxiety, the angle of attention is extremely wide. In such state of mind, it is impossible to enter a state of hypnosis. When the angle of attention is moderately wide, a person may be led to enter a state of hypnosis by narrowing the angle of attention i.e. utilizing techniques of Focal Concentration. When angle of attention is narrow, a person may be lead easily to a deep state of hypnosis. When the angle of attention is zero, the person is in a state of Alternate State of Consciousness. It is typical to daydreaming, meditation, or Somnambulism. Barber (2000) cites the way subjects described their experience during a very deep state of hypnosis: "I can hear and understand people but I'm someplace else"; "There are times when everything is just blank. There is no consciousness, just nothing"; "When I go very deep, there is nothing, just void"; "My body is gone, the world is gone"; "Nothing else is there, it is a state of nothingness" (p.221)
We suggest that, Wide Angle of Attention contributes to
"Fight or Flight"
were as Narrow Angle of Attention contributes to relaxation and conserving energy.
Contribution of Heightened Suggestibility & Low Analytical Judgment to Survival
Humans belong to the group of Social Mammals. At the top of the social hierarchy in this group is a leader, designated Alpha. One of the main responsibilities of Alpha is to be aware of the surrounding. The moment Alpha detects a suspicious tail of an animal that could belong to a predator he will sound the alarm. The group may sense the tail only in the corner of their eyes, or perhaps they may not sense it at all. However, they will not waste time assessing the validity of Alpha's judgment. Alpha's suggestion of danger is enough to cause the stress hormones to flood the body in preparation for a
"Fight or Flight"
response. When Alpha declares safety, the group members conserve energy by lowering their stress hormones and they relax. This survival instinct, which has evolved over nine million years of evolution, caused our ancestors to develop suggestibility towards the opinions of their Alpha without using their own critical judgment.
The Contribution of Imagination to Survival
The ability to imagine things vividly affects the level of stress hormone. For example, in prehistoric times, before leaving his cave to go hunting, prehistoric man would likely imagine an earlier encounter with a predator. This image would then trigger his
"fight or flight" response. Conversely, days after the kill, visualizing the dead predator would trigger the relaxation response and cause his body to save energy. Besides that, our ancestors could use their ability to imagine in order learning from experiences and planning future actions.
Conclusion
This paper suggests that because the capacity to enter into a hypnotic trance is shared, to some degree, by all people, it is safe to assume that it is an inherent property, which played an important role in the survival of the fittest. Modern humans make use of the same inherent property, which was used by ancient Alpha to alarm or to relax his group members. Nowadays, religious leaders use that ancient capacity to deliver religious messages, political leaders use it to be elected and hypnotists use it for behavior modification, relaxation, emotional and physical healing. One may compare it to a computer program, which was planned to achieve one goal, being used by a computer expert to accomplish another goal.
References
Barber, T.X. A deeper understanding of hypnosis: Its secrets, its nature its essence. American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 2000, vol. 42, pp. 208-273.
Stevens A. Price J. (2000). Evolutionary Psychiatry, a New Beginning. Routledge London, and Philadelphia.