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Is Primary-Process Cognition a Feature of Hypnosis?
Michael T Finn1, Jared I Goldman1, Gyrid B Lyon1
1a University of Tennessee , Knoxville , Tennessee , USA.
The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
|December 10, 2016
Summary
Hypnosis research suggests that low hypnotizable individuals may exhibit more primary-process cognition, contrary to prior theories. Felt connection with the hypnotist may enhance secondary-process thinking in these individuals.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Psychoanalysis
Background:
- Cognition is divided into primary and secondary processes, crucial in psychoanalytic theory.
- Primary processes characterize unconscious thought, while secondary processes govern conscious, logical reasoning.
- Hypnosis induction is theorized to involve a shift towards primary-process cognition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test the hypothesis that highly hypnotizable individuals show more primary-process cognition.
- To investigate the relationship between hypnotizability and cognitive processes during hypnosis.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a novel cognitive-perceptual task to measure primary-process cognition.
- Assessed participants' hypnotizability levels.
- Analyzed the correlation between hypnotizability scores and measured cognitive processes.
Main Results:
- The hypothesis was not supported; highly hypnotizable individuals did not show more primary-process cognition.
- Low hypnotizable participants demonstrated higher levels of primary-process cognition.
- Exploratory analysis indicated that felt connectedness with the hypnotist promoted secondary-process cognition in low hypnotizable individuals.
Conclusions:
- The findings challenge existing theories on hypnosis and cognitive processes.
- Hypnotizability may not directly correlate with a predominance of primary-process cognition.
- Interpersonal factors, like connectedness, may influence cognitive shifts during hypnosis, particularly in low hypnotizable individuals.
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