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The book presents a comprehensive Theory of Hypnosis, one that encompasses and
may even surpass all previous theories. It is a rational scientific explanation
of hypnosis that explains the hypnotic induction process as well as hypnotic and
post-hypnotic phenomena in terms of principles of conditioning and inhibition.
It points out that such a rational explanation of hypnosis is badly needed
to eliminate the many misconceptions that have plagued it for so long and thus
to help open the field to both professionals and lay people so that its full
potential can be tapped.
The Theory is compared with three other current theories of hypnosis: the
Sociocognitive, the Dissociation/Neo-Dissociation, and the Response-Expectancy
perspectives. Contrary to implication of the Sociocognitive and Response-Expectancy
theories, the book makes clear that there are major differences between the waking
and hypnotic state, that hypnotic induction leads to major increases in suggestibility.
Indicating the scope of the Theory, the book shows that it:
- explains the behavioral and therapeutic effects of hallucinogenic drugs;
- provides an explanation and possible cure for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder;
- provides a further understanding of the learning process, especially higher-order
and sentence conditioning;
- provides a two-tiered explanation of the placebo effect;
- points out that biofeedback is another form of hypnotic induction; and even
- presents scientific explanation and support for such religious phenomena as free
will, overnight "born again" transformations, exorcisms, the power of prayer, and
faith healing.
In addition to its wide scope, this Theory of Hypnosis has led to the development
of more effective methods of hypnotic induction as well as to more effective methods
of giving post-hypnotic suggestions. This, in turn, led to the development of
Self-Programmed Control (SPC) – a positively oriented self-improvement program
that produces self-actualization, greater self-efficacy and higher emotional
intelligence. The dramatic positive results of SPC’s application in the areas
of education, welfare, industry, medicine and drug rehabilitation are presented.
(For example, in education, SPC reduced the school dropout rate in one study from
56% to 16%.)
Finally, to exhibit the benefits of hypnosis, the book presents a review of the
literature, showing how much more effective hypnotherapy is than other forms of
therapy: The average success rate for hypnotherapy was found to be 93% after only
6 sessions, compared to 72% after 22 sessions for behavior therapy and 38% after
600 sessions for psychoanalysis.
A major theme of the book is that hypnosis facilitates change – one of its
greatest benefits. People find that it's difficult to change even when they want
to change, and that they do not have as much free will as they had imagined. In
reality, most people are actually automatons, governed by – and slaves to
– the automatic (i.e. subconscious) behavior that has been programmed
into them throughout their lives. So one of the major benefits of properly
applied hypnosis (such as SPC) is to facilitate one's re-programming for positive
change.
Such innovators as Maslow (self-actualization), Bandura (self-efficacy), Goleman
(emotional intelligence), and Seligman (positive psychology) have pointed the way
towards achieving greater happiness and fulfillment. But while pointing the way is
important, it is not enough. This book shows that it is hypnosis that can provide
the all-important missing link – the means to achieve all the needed
positive changes.