Question

Just prior to awakening John from a hypnotic state, the therapist told him that during the next few days he would feel nauseous whenever he ate sweets. John's therapist was attempting to make use of:

A. Age regression
B. Posthypnotic suggestion
C. Hypnagogic sensations
D. REM rebound
E. Parallel processing

Answer 1

The therapist used a posthypnotic suggestion to condition John to feel nauseous after eating sweets. This form of suggestion takes effect after the person is no longer in a hypnotic state, and is one application of hypnosis in therapeutic settings.

Step-by-step explanation:

The therapist was attempting to make use of posthypnotic suggestion. This is a directive given to a person under hypnosis that later affects their behavior after they have come out of the hypnotic state. In John's case, his therapist is trying to condition him to feel nauseous whenever he eats sweets after the hypnosis session, in an effort to alter his eating behaviors.

It is important to note that while hypnosis can prove to be very effective for some, especially those who are highly suggestible, its efficacy and application in therapeutic settings remain topics of research and debate. The process engages a state of extreme self-focus, during which minimal attention is given to external stimuli, allowing for powerful effects from the hypnotic suggestions.