Interactional phenomenology of maternal and paternal hypnosis styles

Abstract

The study introduces an interactional analysis of subjective data (PCI and DIH questionnaires) from hypnotist and subject along with the concept of hypnosis styles (maternal/ paternal scores), in a real-simulator design. It was expected that the subjective experiences of maternal and paternal hypnotists (and their subjects) are different: 1) maternal style is more emotional regarding both interactional and experience parameters, while paternal style is rather cognitive and sovereign; 2) subjects can experience subjective signs of alteration of their consciousness with both hypnosis styles; 3) while hypnotizing, maternal hypnotists are more likely to feel the alterations of their own level of consciousness, while paternal hypnotists remain reality-oriented. The correlational analysis of our data confi rmed the above expectations and strengthened the construct of 'hypnosis style'. Only slight, but characteristic differences could be observed between real and simulating interactions.

Oxytocin and Cortisol in the Hypnotic Interaction1

“…In our earlier study (Varga, Bányai, Józsa, & Gősi-Greguss, 2008), however, we reported the relationship between hypnosis style and interactional experiences (DIH). In the cases of maternal style hypnoses, there was no correlation between subjects' DIH scores and hypnosis style, but the same correlations were high in the hypnotists.…”

Possible Mechanisms of Hypnosis from an Interactional Perspective

“…[ [17][18][19] The level of oxytocin (OT) and cortisol in the hypnotic interaction: traditional relaxational hypnosis…”

“…The relational experiences within psychotherapy of appropriate atmospheres give a chance for the modification of the pattern of representation of important relationships [ 54 ]. The patient may get a corrective experience in hypnosis, in this extremely enhanced emotional mutual attunement, when the hypnotist perceives, understands, and appropriately responds even to his/her unexpressed feelings [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Interpersonal aspects of hypnosis: Twisted pears and other forbidden fruit.

“…Perhaps for this reason, the maternal-paternal axis scores for the hypnotists did not correlate significantly with any of a wide variety of subjective indices collected from their hypnotic subjects. The distinction between maternal and paternal styles of hypnosis also appears to have little effect on subjects’ hypnotic susceptibility, as measured by standardized hypnosis scales (Varga, Bányai, Jǒzsa, & Gősi-Greguss, 2008). Other research, however, indicates that the responsiveness of moderately hypnotizable people, in particular, may be sensitive to the quality of rapport with the hypnotist (e.g., Lynn et al, 1991; Sheehan, 1980).…”