How Not to Get Hypnotized Against Your Will
I have been studying hypnosis for about 10 years. During this time, I have defended my dissertation, published scientific articles, and presented at conferences on the topic of hypnosis and its effects on perception. Here is what I want to say, regardless of any specific events:
1. People do not like the word "hypnosis." It is associated with influencing one’s will, and people do not like to think that they can be influenced. An idea that someone intending to hypnotize you triggers caution and heightened vigilance.
2. Nevertheless, direct (directive) hypnosis works effectively in a doctor's office or laboratories where trust in the professional is combined with the desire and expectation of results (pain relief, reduction of negative emotions, etc.).
3. Hypnotizability (the ability to be hypnotized) can be high, low, or medium. Low hypnotizability does not mean that a person cannot be hypnotized at all; it just means it will happen more slowly than with someone who is highly hypnotizable.
4. No one knows their hypnotizability without being tested for it or having a formal hypnosis session. Most people consider themselves to be of low hypnotizability. The reason is point 1: no one wants to admit that their will can be easily influenced.
5. Hypnosis is not magic, quackery, or a myth; it is a combination of ordinary human mental abilities: focusing attention, abstracting from distractions, and transferring control to another. The first two should be clear.
6. Transferring control of your will to another is also a property of the human psyche. An example of this is susceptibility to group influence. In a group, a person quickly loses individual thinking and switches to majority thinking. This trait was necessary for humanity’s survival. A group acting cohesively has a higher chance of survival than individuals with their own unique perspectives.
7. Despite this remaining trait of submitting to another’s will, in today’s world it is very important for a person to perceive their behavior as personal and independent. No one wants to be seen as "following the crowd," "brainwashed," or a "puppet." Such epithets are perceived as insults. Critical thinking is encouraged.
8. Despite this, it is still possible to hypnotically influence the mind, and this happens everywhere and effectively. Several conditions are necessary for this so look for them to avoid being hypnotized:
a. Your attention is grabbed (by something bright, loud, emotionally charged, which is not repulsive but rather intriguing).
b. Your cognitive capacity is overloaded (an enormous amount of information that is impossible to analyze leads to an automatic desire to find a relatively stable opinion and adhere to it).
c. You are curious and emotional (the authority of the speaker, dependence on personal interests, fear for life/health, confirmation of already formed opinions).
d. You are surrounded by others experiencing the same (this enhances the effect, as group hypnosis is powerful because shared views with others seem like the truth and reduce caution and doubt).
e. You are overly confident that the formed opinion is the independent result of your personal decision and goodwill.
9. Hypnosis is now used much more widely and effectively, yet no one calls it hypnosis (see point 1). However, intuitively we understand something is happening, and the phrase “don't be naive, open your eyes, you are being used” is heard from all sides of different conflicts. Internet access adds instant information dissemination and emotional overload.
10. To avoid succumbing to hypnosis and finding yourself on the front lines of madness, I highly recommend keeping an eye on your information consumption hygiene, engaging in self-education, reading classical literature, and remembering that objective and independent perception is an illusion.
