HYPNOSIS

The history of Hypnosis Past and Present

The history of Hypnosis Past and Present

Introduction

Hypnosis can be described as a changed state of consciousness in which an individual is more likely to accept proper suggestions. An individual in a state of hypnosis can often be persuaded to bring to mind details of occurrences that he/she may not be able, for a number of basis to call up even as completely conscious. Due to this capability, hypnosis has been considered useful at times especially in criminal investigations to aid witnesses or victims recall information and particulars of alleged offenses (Garner, 1994, p.67). When utilized in an offensive investigatory setting, this technique is known as forensic hypnosis. Several kinds of cases have advantaged from the function of forensic hypnosis techniques: numerous robberies investigations, kidnappings and assaults have been helped with the information gathered from an investigative session of hypnosis.

Discussion

Though the employment of hypnosis for offensive investigations is a comparatively recent trend, the practice of what is at present known as hypnosis has a history that is approximately over 3000 years (Lynn & Kirsch, 2006, p.81). The substantiation of hypnotic occurrences is found in almost every culture and is knotted with a number of religious and ritual ceremonies. In modern Western history, there are depictions of persuaded states that were considered to have a huge impact on the well-being of an individual.

Hypnosis: The History and Present

James Braid in 1843, a Scottish doctor of medicine who has been known as the father of modern hypnotism, thought up the term hypnosis, which he derived from the Greek word hypnos; where the word “Hypnos” means to sleep. Afterwards this was determined to be an unlucky word, as the state at this time described as hypnosis does not entail sleep. In actual fact, Braid afterwards tried to modify the term to “monoideism” or “neurynology”; though, the innovative term had already taken origin. James Braid initially became entailed with the practice of mesmerism, entitled for a German physician Franz Anton Mesmer, of the late 18th and early 19th century. He claimed the aptitude to control or cure many psychological and biological disorders. However, by majority of accounts, he was more impostor than scientist, and was accounted to have based majority of his work on the concepts that were copied from Dr. Richard Mead, an English physician. Interestingly, the writings by Mead were based on the research of one of his patients who was none other than the great Newton (Rhue & Kirsch, 1993, p.38).

From that time till now, a lot has been written on the subject of hypnosis, first and foremost as it speaks about the work of psychologists and physicians; though, the profligate and often frolicsome claims offered by practitioners early on continue to obscure the reliability of this practice. Fallacies with reference to hypnosis abound, and the ongoing use of stage hypnotists and other performers have done less to clear the waters. Consequently, the acceptance of hypnosis methods in the illegal forensic field met with some ...