phenomenology of deep hypnosis: Quiescent and physically active, The

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis,  Jul 2005  by Wickramsekera, Ian II

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Cardeña, E. (2005). The phenomenology of deep hypnosis: Quiescent and physically active. International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis, 53 (1), 37-59. This study examined the unique phenomenological experiences of highs in a 2 (hypnosis vs. control) × 3 (quiescent, pedaling a stationary bike, having a motor pedal the bike) within-subjects design with quantitative and qualitative measures such as Ronald Pekala's Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI).

The author employed a "neutral hypnosis context" in which the only suggestion was "to go as deeply into hypnosis as possible." The participants endorsed a variety of alterations in their state of consciousness involving their body image, time sense, perception and meaning, sense of being in an altered state of awareness, affect, attention, and imagery utilizing. The participants also endorsed a diminished sense of self-awareness, rationality, voluntary control, and memory. The participants' hypnotic experiences of the 3 physical conditions were similar overall, although the quiescent condition (laying motionless on a bed) produced more alterations of body image and reports of trance depth. The author interpreted the findings to indicate that alterations in consciousness following hypnosis can be better conceptualized as distinct states of consciousness rather than being on a continuum of mental states. Address for reprints: Etzel Cardena, Ph.D., Department of Psychology and Anthropology, University of Texas-Pan American, 1201 West University Drive, Edinburgh, TX, 78539 USA. Email: ecardena@panam.edu

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