Hypnotism is a misunderstood
art. This is mainly because of movies, cartoons and books where
hypnotism can be used to make people do things against their ethical/moral
values. But hypnotism can't do that. Under hypnosis you are
in control-the hypnotist can only guide you.
Hypnotism has been around since the beginning of recorded history. It began in eastern religions and is related to Zen, meditation and yoga. Austrian physician Friedrich Anton Mesmer is believed to have done a lot of work in the science of hypnosis-but he called it Animal Magnetism. He believed it to be a physical force or fluid. It was a British physician named James Braid who called it hypnosis, which is derived from the Greek word Hypnos, meaning sleep. He thought of it as a psychological phenomenon. There was a psychiatrist named Francuch who described 500 different levels of hypnotism. Another says there are 1000 levels of hypnotism!
Back then hypnotism was what we call today, classical or formal hypnotism. The client is in a sleep-like stupor in classical hypnotism. The client is spoken to in a commanding monotone. The other type of hypnotism is Ericksonian hypnotism. It is when client is in a state of hypnotism that is not as deep. The hypnotist embeds thoughts in the client through a casual conversation.
Human hypnosis means there is super slow electrical activity in the brain. Hypnosis can manipulate thoughts, feelings and emotional states. I hope you enjoy reading all about hypnotism!
Project Information
Grade Grouping- 4-6
Team Size- 1 or 2
Subject Area- Biology
Project Type- Descriptive
Project Level- Standard
Project Format- Traditional
Software Used: MS Word, Dreamweaver, Fireworks & Internet Explorer
Summary: Six sections about hypnosis and how it works, plus a small flash activity to test your suggestibility