Question

As part of a hypnosis show, Ray, a member of the audience who had been hypnotized, would stand on his chair and cluck like a chicken every time someone said 'thank you'.

A) Role-playing
B) Regression
C) Dissociation
D) Suggestion

Answer 1

Ray's response to cluck like a chicken under hypnosis is an example of the power of suggestion. Hypnosis works by inducing a state of focused attention and suggestibility, and it is explained by two main theories: dissociation and social-cognitive role performance. It can affect cognitive processes and is most effective in suggestible individuals.

Step-by-step explanation:

The behavior of Ray, who was hypnotized to cluck like a chicken at the utterance of 'thank you', is most accurately explained by suggestion. Hypnosis is most effective in individuals who are very open to the power of suggestion, as they are more likely to respond to the hypnotist's directives. This is exemplified by the fact that hypnosis can lead to altered thoughts and perceptions, as a result of extreme self-focus and minimal attention to external stimuli.

According to the dissociation theory of hypnosis, as researched by Ernest Hilgard, hypnosis is a dissociated state of consciousness. However, the social-cognitive theory of hypnosis views such behavior not as a dissociated state, but rather as conforming to social expectations and roles. Both theories attempt to explain how hypnosis works and why individuals like Ray respond as they do under hypnosis. Research has also suggested that factors like cognitive processes, including learning, may be influenced by hypnosis, showing its impact on the human mind.