Chapter 25 - Exceptions To The Definition

Many psychologists have been confused by what are apparent exceptions to my definition of hypnotism. This confusion has resulted from the fact that some persons are susceptible to an extreme degree and go into a state of hypnosis upon a strong suggestion being made to them, which reacts upon their mind to bring about the suggested result. I have experimented with a few of such subjects. Some of the results have not been checked with satisfactory controls and because the results were startling, and therefore questionable, I will not give them here, but I will state that it has been possible to obtain arm rigidity, false sensations of tastes, smell, sickness, etc., by firm suggestions of such sensations in a waking state. Such sensations were obtained in subjects who had been previously hypnotized and were very susceptible. The results were not obtained by post-hypnotic suggestion, but it is not certain that such results were not in some manner connected with prior hypnosis. I believe that this is the case with many such confusing reactions, however.

However much this appears to be a violation of the definition of hypnotism, it is not such a violation and it does not make suggestion hypnotism, or vice-versa. It means that the persons were very susceptible, and by command, a state of hypnosis was induced. They were deprived of their volition in a limited degree just as much so as if they had been hypnotized in the regular manner; but it does not bear out the contention of some that all forms of suggestion are hypnotism. Neither does it demonstrate that the definition of hypnotism is in error. It is just a state of hypnosis in which there is a different degree of severance of the consciousness by the nerve centers, similar to the reactions brought about by hypnotism or post-hypnotic suggestions. It means that in such subjects, the conscious mind relinquishes control over certain functions more readily than it does in other subjects. Again, we are here faced with the same rule of severance of conscious and subconscious mental faculties as we experienced with regard to depth of hypnosis and hypnotizability of certain subjects. The failure of psychologists to take into consideration this rule resulted in all the confusion as to what is, and is not hypnotism, and led many to believe that hypnotism is nothing but suggestion. Some even believed that hypnotism was nothing but pretense and play-acting on the part of the subject. I would like to know how such psychologists think a subject could play-act to the extent of having his arm amputated without feeling any pain. It seems that the more some persons study, the more they lose sight of reason or reasonably apparent truths.
There is another point that I wish to emphasize here. That point is the difference in degree of volition or self-will exercised by some persons. Some are susceptible to suggestion and will do anything suggested which they think will bring approbation or secure them safety, benefits, good will or other desired effects. Some will do almost anything suggested by the right person. This does not make suggestion hypnotism.

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