How does Ernest Hilgard explain pain reduction through hypnosis?
A) Hypnosis increases dopamine levels in the body.
B) People merely play the role of the hypnotized person and attempt to ignore the pain.
C) Hypnotized individuals dissociate the experience so that part of the mind is unaware of the pain.
D) Hypnosis results in an altered state of consciousness that alters brain waves in regions of the brain responsible for the perception of pain.
E) Hypnosis is a result of a "serotonin storm" occurring in the nucleus accumbens of the brain.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Ernest Hilgard's theory of the "hidden observer," hypnotized individuals dissociate a part of their mind from the painful experience, resulting in pain reduction. This part of the mind, called the "hidden observer," is not consciously aware of the pain but still monitors the situation and can occasionally report on the experience.

How Does Ernest Hilgard Explain Pain Reduction Through Hypnosis