Type your answer to each question directly below the question. This assignment r
ID: 3488259 • Letter: T
Question
Type your answer to each question directly below the question. This assignment requires Level 1 Writing Guidelines.2. Do you consider hypnosis and meditation to be altered states of consciousness? State your reasons why or why not and cite your supporting information. Type your answer to each question directly below the question. This assignment requires Level 1 Writing Guidelines.
2. Do you consider hypnosis and meditation to be altered states of consciousness? State your reasons why or why not and cite your supporting information. Type your answer to each question directly below the question. This assignment requires Level 1 Writing Guidelines.
2. Do you consider hypnosis and meditation to be altered states of consciousness? State your reasons why or why not and cite your supporting information.
Explanation / Answer
I do not consider hypnosis as an altered state of consciousness. Hypnosis is just a shift of awareness from being fully alert to lower level of alertness, if we can imagine this on a scale. We can notice this in multiple experiments where EEG tests were used, in such the waves become slower and high in amplitude which corresponds to stage of relaxation or sleeping. Even under hypnosis a person remembers everything and cannot be forced to do something which contradicts or hurts their being. Hypnosis is used as a state of mind where mental barriers are lower than while in complete alert state, to help patients learn and understand something they would usually face problems in. We can notice this in the ECG tests.
But I can’t say the same for meditation as there aren’t many proven experiments on either side of the argument. Most experiments performed in laboratory and field settings has focused on physiological and overt behavioural changes. They have not achieved any significant result. On the subjective side, many people have reported vivid experiences which cannot even be imagined. I have heard many such accounts and therefore am more inclined towards believing that it is an altered state of consciousness.
Most of this I have written from my knowledge but for some idea refered these:
SHAPIRO,D. H. A clinical and physiological comparison of meditation with other self-control strategies. Amer, J. Psychiatry, 1982, 139, 3, 267-74.
TART, C. A psychologist's experience with Transcendental Meditation. J. Transpersanal Psychol., 1971,3, 2, 135-40.
SHAPIRO,D. H. & GIBER, D. Meditation and psychotherapeutic effects. Archives General Psychiatry, 1978,35, 294-302.
Sakari Kallio’s article :Hypnosis May Be Altered State Of Consciousness
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