Subjective Resistance to Transformation

Previously I've discussed resistance as a systemic concept involving all humans. This belies the fact that resistance may be of a subjective nature since the intensity varies between individuals. For instance, neuroimaging has clearly shown that the predominant locus of brain activity is different from one person to the next. This could mean that due to damage, the environmental situation, or personality, certain substrates may be used or function more frequently than others. However, differences in predominate subjective substrate organization may be more simplistic. The issue is whether the locus of predominant brain activity is in the frontal lobe – the seat of uniquely human intelligence – or the more primitive, pattern-driven limbic system.

The hypothesis is that a bifurcation of emphasis or energetic locus may explain an additional subjective concern regarding a person's acceptance and/or rejection of change. For someone to more readily learn, which is also called intelligence, there must be a willingness to accept new concepts and ideas. The related brain functions would then center on frontal lobe tasks such as awareness and meaning. Conversely, when a person obsessively clings to old patterns, learning does not occur. For this person, perceptions and thoughts tend to rely more upon existing patterns, to include feelings. Novelty is not appreciated. It seems fairly obvious that the former person's locus of energetic activity is more frontal lobe centered; the latter, more limbic related. This is then measurably verified with Intelligence Quotient (IQ) tests. The higher the IQ, the more there is a propensity for that individual to change; the lower the IQ, the more there is a tendency to cling to the familiar patterns.

A clear example of this can be found by examining the exit poll data collected by the television and cable networks during the 2008 US presidential primaries. Voting along racial lines was significant in that it showed pattern preference to be more important than intellectual preferences. The same thing could be said when one-issue voters lined up to express their preferences in light of their views on abortion or embryonic stem cell research. Again, pattern preferences outweighed open-mindedness and tolerance, two signs of a penchant for intellectual thought. Also voters with higher education levels, such as graduate degrees, clearly fell in line with one set of candidates over another. In all, the results dramatically illustrated propensities for change versus maintaining known patterns.

The significance of this is that the clinician will be more successful using any protocols that rely on suggestion provided that the subject is adequately typed in accordance to their relative ability to accept intellectual development versus their pattern preference. This is more difficult than it sounds. The most intellectual subjects will still have facets of their lives where they may zealously cling to certain patterns, such as in spiritual matters. And, the most un-intellectual may have areas in which they are extremely open-minded and accepting. Nevertheless, the clinician should respect that the topic of the transformation will most likely place the client at a specific point on the intellectual-pattern dominance continuum. Therefore, correctly assessing a situation will greatly enhance transformational endeavors.

The International Hypnosis Research Institute is a member supported project involving integrative health care specialists from around the world. We provide information and educational resources to clinicians. Dr. Brunson is the author of over 150 self-help and clinical CD's and MP3's.