Milton Erickson was a pioneer in hypnosis. In a way he changed our view about hypnosis. He “invented” what is now known as a conversational hypnosis. Rather than using “you are feeling sleepy” pattern of a therapeutic hypnosis he came up with the idea to influence people in the regular conversation. Just by talking to them. He came up with the use of hypnotic language pattern that allows the persuader to slip his suggestions into unconscious mind. There is an anecdote how Milton Erickson charmed the doctors who were about to strip him of the medical degree just by having a conversation with them on the plane to the conference.
Of course the art of persuasion and charm has been around long before Erickson. Casanova is one of the most famous examples. We all know people who are fabulous talkers and can persuade almost anyone to do anything willingly. Erickson turned this art into skill that anyone who is interested can learn and master.
Conversational hypnosis is a very useful skill as it allows you to interact with people effectively. The goal here is to make people like you and suggest thing that would help them. Yes, it is possible to use conversational hypnosis for ‘evil” purposes as well, but it’s rather like shooting a sparrow with cannon. You can achieve the same result much easier by persuading people to do what you want willingly. There are stories, for example, when people went to apply for jobs they were not qualified for and got them! Now isn’t that much better than steal money from a gas station? That just makes you a petty thief.
Showing posts with label conversational hypnosis. Show all posts
Showing posts with label conversational hypnosis. Show all posts
Monday, November 16, 2009
Monday, December 22, 2008
4 Words of Power
4 words of power are the essential part of conversational hypnosis that deals with hypnotic language pattern or the use of words. These 4 words are tools to achieve a certain effect of logic. But before we get to them, lets us look briefly what else one should know before starting using these 4 words of power.
There are 2 master keys or main principles when it comes in using words for conversational hypnosis.
1. The principle of flow. When you use these words, use them smoothly, do not make unusual pauses in conversation. In fact, the smoother you can be, the better is the effect. All good conversationalists are smooth talkers.
2. The principle of association. When we use words, we invariably tend to think of other words or rather objects and concepts associated with them. These are usually different for everyone but there are lots of generic ones as well. For example, a ninety-year old man is associated with old man, gray-haired man, old age, etc.
The 4 words of power are: as, because, and, means (and their equivalents). As you can see, these words are neutral in themselves but they allow us to create linguistic bridges that link one idea to another. And get this: these ideas do not have to have anything in common or be normally associated with each other. Use of these words, however, let us lead a person we are trying to influence through one idea to another and through several other ideas in-between. The created effect of seeming logic is what makes these words so powerful.
The word because is especially powerful as it provides the reason for doing things. You have probably heard of a famous example. Harvard social psychologist Ellen Langer made an experiment. She asked in the line for a copy machine to go first. The first time she asked: “Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I go first, because I am in a hurry?” The rate of compliance was nearly total: 94% let her skip ahead. When she just asked: “Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I go first?” only 60% complied. At first glance it appears that the difference between these two requests was the reason provided by the word because. But the third request was formulated like this: “Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I go first because I need to make some copies?” What do you think the rate of compliance was? Nearly the same as in the first case: 93%. That’s when it became clear that people reacted to the word because and let the real reason just slip by. The word because implies reason, so a person’s brain is less likely to question the validity of that reason, whatever it might be.
The above example is taken from the book by Robert Cialdini Influence. New York. Morrow. 1984. p. 18.
There are 2 master keys or main principles when it comes in using words for conversational hypnosis.
1. The principle of flow. When you use these words, use them smoothly, do not make unusual pauses in conversation. In fact, the smoother you can be, the better is the effect. All good conversationalists are smooth talkers.
2. The principle of association. When we use words, we invariably tend to think of other words or rather objects and concepts associated with them. These are usually different for everyone but there are lots of generic ones as well. For example, a ninety-year old man is associated with old man, gray-haired man, old age, etc.
The 4 words of power are: as, because, and, means (and their equivalents). As you can see, these words are neutral in themselves but they allow us to create linguistic bridges that link one idea to another. And get this: these ideas do not have to have anything in common or be normally associated with each other. Use of these words, however, let us lead a person we are trying to influence through one idea to another and through several other ideas in-between. The created effect of seeming logic is what makes these words so powerful.
The word because is especially powerful as it provides the reason for doing things. You have probably heard of a famous example. Harvard social psychologist Ellen Langer made an experiment. She asked in the line for a copy machine to go first. The first time she asked: “Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I go first, because I am in a hurry?” The rate of compliance was nearly total: 94% let her skip ahead. When she just asked: “Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I go first?” only 60% complied. At first glance it appears that the difference between these two requests was the reason provided by the word because. But the third request was formulated like this: “Excuse me, I have 5 pages. May I go first because I need to make some copies?” What do you think the rate of compliance was? Nearly the same as in the first case: 93%. That’s when it became clear that people reacted to the word because and let the real reason just slip by. The word because implies reason, so a person’s brain is less likely to question the validity of that reason, whatever it might be.
The above example is taken from the book by Robert Cialdini Influence. New York. Morrow. 1984. p. 18.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Welcome to Conversational Hypnosis!
Dear Reader,
What do you think about when you hear the word "hypnosis"? Do you immediately visualize a man dressed in black cape swinging his watch, looking into his subjects' eye and commanding "You are feeling sleepy!" or does the word remind you of those "stop smoking with hypnosis" slogans? Maybe you associate hypnosis with sleep or near sleep state when you have to obey commands of a hypnotist without will?
Well, hypnosis is all of the above and none of the above. It can certainly be used for all of the mentioned scenarios but the theory and concept behind hypnosis is deeper than that.
Hypnosis is a state of consciousness when the conscious mind is "switched off", so to speak. It creates the state of heightened suggestibility that can be used to slide in the hypnotic suggestion. Another comparison that I like is your subconsciousness is like a dark cave full of mysterious things that we can only guess about. The conscious mind is like a dutiful guard watching what gets into this cave and what does not. Hypnosis is a way to put this guard to sleep or at least temporarily distract his attention.
Hypnosis has always fascinated humankind. From the ancient records we read stories about wizard, witches that remind us of present day hypnotists. For that matter every manipulation of human awareness can be called hypnosis.
What do you think about when you hear the word "hypnosis"? Do you immediately visualize a man dressed in black cape swinging his watch, looking into his subjects' eye and commanding "You are feeling sleepy!" or does the word remind you of those "stop smoking with hypnosis" slogans? Maybe you associate hypnosis with sleep or near sleep state when you have to obey commands of a hypnotist without will?
Well, hypnosis is all of the above and none of the above. It can certainly be used for all of the mentioned scenarios but the theory and concept behind hypnosis is deeper than that.
Hypnosis is a state of consciousness when the conscious mind is "switched off", so to speak. It creates the state of heightened suggestibility that can be used to slide in the hypnotic suggestion. Another comparison that I like is your subconsciousness is like a dark cave full of mysterious things that we can only guess about. The conscious mind is like a dutiful guard watching what gets into this cave and what does not. Hypnosis is a way to put this guard to sleep or at least temporarily distract his attention.
Hypnosis has always fascinated humankind. From the ancient records we read stories about wizard, witches that remind us of present day hypnotists. For that matter every manipulation of human awareness can be called hypnosis.
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