Quantitative and qualitative research in hypnosis: a commentary on Woodard.
Psychological Reports August 1, 2005 DOI: 10.2466/pr0.97.1.101-106 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractTwo approaches to understanding hypnosis—Perceptually Oriented Hypnosis and Phenomenology—both use the concept of the 'Phenomenal Field' of consciousness but differ in their philosophical foundations. Perceptually Oriented Hypnosis relies on Gestalt psychology and Cartesian dualism, while Phenomenology maintains the unity of quality and quantity within consciousness. This commentary explains the philosophical basis of these two methods for arriving at the essence of hypnosis in clinical practice.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Commentary Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Argues that Snygg and Combs' theory and Phenomenology provide different philosophical interpretations of the 'Phenomenal Field' in hypnosis, with the former rooted in Gestalt psychology and Cartesian dualism and the latter maintaining the unity of quality and quantity within consciousness. |
Abstract
In recent articles Woodard extended the Snygg and Combs theory of "Perceptually Oriented Hypnosis" to effect a rapprochement with a Phenomenology of Hypnosis. Both use the "Phenomenal Field" of consciousness, but they provide different interpretations and approaches to the essence of hypnosis. Snygg and Combs were heavily reliant on Gestalt psychology with a Cartesian dualism while Phenomenology maintains the unity of quality and quantity within consciousness. This commentary presents the philosophical basis for the two methods used to arrive at the essence of hypnosis in clinical practice.