Developing More Effective Methods of Hypnotic Hnduction

by Alfred A Barrios, Ph.D.

The following is an excerpt from Dr. Barrios' book, Understanding Hypnosis: Theory, Scope and Potential.

There are a number of ways the theory has helped increase the effectiveness of hypnotic induction both in terms of providing a proper pre-induction talk as well as providing more effective hypnotic induction techniques. The ideas to be discussed were first pre¬sented in a paper delivered at the 6th International Congress for Hypnosis on 3 July, 1973 in Upsala Sweden (Barrios, 1973b).

With regards to a proper pre-induction talk, several basic areas that need to be addressed according to the theory are: (1) eliminating misconceptions regarding hypno¬sis; (2) eliminating the fear of losing control; (3) eliminating fear of the unknown; and (4) minimizing the negative effect of failure.

Misconceptions can be eliminated by defining hypnosis as a state of heightened belief produced by responding positively to a series of suggestions (as per the theory) and not a state of sleep or unconsciousness. And to help eliminate the fear of losing control, hypnotic inductions should be defined more in terms of inducing self-hypnosis or a heightened state of belief in the individual's ability to gain greater control over his or her automatic behavior (what eventually came to be referred to as self-programmed control or SPC). So in fact instead of losing control the individual can now be relieved to know that he/she will be actually gaining greater control.

Fear of the unknown is eliminated in the pre-induction talk by providing a rational explanation for how this state of greater control is developed as the result of the power of words, the power of thoughts and the power of belief to control automatic responses. The demonstration of salivating to the thought of biting into a sour lemon based on principles of conditioning is one way to help get across this point.

The negative effects of failure are minimized by telling subjects that 'because of individual differences there may be some suggestions that work very well for some people but not for others, and therefore it should not bother them if they do not respond to a suggestion. In such a case they should just wait for the next one.' In the SPC program discussed below, to minimize the negative effects of failure subjects are told that they will be introduced to a number of different SPC techniques and because every person is different they are to find the techniques that they respond best to and work with these.

As for providing for more effective hypnotic induction techniques, as suggested by the theory, anything that would ensure a positive response to suggestion would help heighten the belief factor and thus increase the effectiveness of the hypnotic induction. Several ways of doing this are recommended by the theory: the use of easy to respond to suggestions to begin with (see Corollary 5, following Hypothesis III); the use of naturally-occurring responses and the use of subtle reinforcement of suggested stimuli or responses (see Corollary 6); and the use of biofeedback devices.

The following are some of the SPC techniques I developed as a result (see Barrios, 1985: 36-42 for a complete presentation of all the SPC techniques; they are also available on an audio cassette – see www.stresscards.com.)

One of the techniques developed by following these guidelines was the already mentioned pendulum technique. In this technique there is first the biofeedback amplifica¬tion provided by the length of the pendulum to amplify the minute automatic movements of the hand. First, swinging from left to right is suggested; then swinging in a circle. Then there are a series of other naturally reinforced suggestions starting with the sug¬gestion that the fingers will automatically begin to creep open and as a result the pen¬dulum will soon be dropped. This response occurs naturally as the hand slowly begins to bend at the wrist as suggestions are given that the hand will relax. This is followed by suggestions that the hand and arm will be floating down as the state of relaxation continues to deepen (another natural response).

The concentration spiral technique also takes advantage of naturally occurring phenomena. This technique involves having the subjects looking at a spin¬ning spiral. I lead them through a series of suggestions of visual phenomena which I devised by mirroring the subtle visual effects I experienced myself as I visualized the spinning spiral. The following suggestions are given: as your mind becomes more and more concentrated, you will begin to see a fuzziness or waviness in the lines of the spiral; you will see a yellowish fluorescent-like fringe to the black lines; dark rays will appear to spin off the edge of the disk; you will feel as if you are riding backwards on a train in a spiral tunnel looking out the rear window. Throughout, suggestions that the spiral is concentrating the power of the mind continue to be given. Then, to emphasize this point, the suggestion is made that upon looking away from the spiral at the clock on the wall (or some other object like a plant in the room) the clock (or plant) will be magnified and appear to grow larger. This very dramatic effect is a naturally-occurring effect as a result of looking at the spiral spinning in a clockwise direction. Of course, as per the theory, by having responded positively to the series of previous suggestions, the effect is magnified that much more. (A DVD of the spiral technique is available – see Barrios, 206.)

To minimize any feelings of deception for the few that may think of the spiral tech¬nique as pure illusion, prior to going through the technique I first point out that every¬thing the subjects are going to see is naturally there but as a result of the concentrating effect of the procedure everything will be seen that much more clearly and strongly (which is true). I even tell the subjects afterwards that some people do not experience any of these effects (which is also true for those not paying attention).

Other SPC techniques making use of naturally-occurring phenomena are the light bulb, the rapid deep breathing, and the hand levitation techniques. In the light bulb technique, use is made of the after-image produced after staring into a 40-watt light bulb for a short while. In the initial steps the subject is told they will see a yellow colored balloon after they close their eyes and that it will be changing in color from yellow to red to magenta to blue (which would be the natural color changes the after image would go through). Suggestions are also given that the balloon will begin to float up and the head will also begin to float up. The subject is told that the latter will occur with each breath they take in. Because there is a natural tendency of the head to rise with each breath taken in this suggestion is automatically reinforced. (Conversely, there is a natural tendency of the head to sink with each breath let out so one can reinforce suggestions of head sinking in a similar way.) The rapid deep breathing technique (an adaptation of the hyperventilation method discussed by Kroger, 1977: 77-8) takes advantage of such naturally-occurring responses to hyperventilation as tingling, light-headedness, greater awareness of heart beating, etc.

In my adaptation of the hand levitation hypnotic technique, I have the subjects begin by first pressing the hand as flat as possible against the surface, with the fingers spread as far apart as possible. I tell them to push down as hard as they can initially. Thus, when suggestions are given that the hand will start to rise and the fingers will start to come together as the hand relaxes this is what would naturally occur as they stop pushing down and relax, thus reinforcing the suggestions.

These basic principles for increasing the effectiveness of hypnotic inductions derived from the theory have been presented in such a way that one should be able to extrapolate from them and develop other similar naturally reinforced techniques.

Barrios AA (1973b) Increasing the effectiveness of hypnotic induction. Paper presented at the VIth International Congress for Hypnosis. July 3 rd, 1973, Upsala, Sweden.

Kroger WS (1977) Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott.