Final answer:
The process called mindfulness involves increasing observance of present-moment external and internal stimuli with an open, accepting attitude. It is a form of meditation that can enhance cognitive processes such as learning, differing from hypnosis which relies on suggestibility and therapist guidance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The process that involves becoming increasingly observant and aware of external and internal stimuli in the present moment, and adopting an open attitude of acceptance of 'what is' rather than judging the present situation, is referred to as mindfulness. Mindfulness falls under the broader category of meditation, which is the act of focusing on a single target to increase awareness of the present moment. Mindfulness meditation in particular directs the meditator's attention to internal processes or an external object, thereby achieving a state of relaxed awareness and focus.
Mindful awareness is known to positively influence cognitive processes such as learning. Unlike hypnosis, which requires heightened suggestibility and often the guidance of a therapist, meditation and mindful practices can be performed individually and involve a conscious, continuous engagement with the present. It is distinct from visualization, which is the process of actively conjuring images or scenarios in one's mind, and from hypnosis, which entails a state of extreme self-focus often with the influence of suggestion.