Inside
the Legend: Simon Said
MIND
CONTROL
When an individual can control
the thinking, behavior, emotions, or decisions of another
individual. The ability to have this control, the exact
definition and the extent of its influence on the individual
are heavily debated among psychologists, neuroscientists,
and sociologists. Mind control has been debated as a legal
implication
as well. It was an issue in the court case of Patty Hearst
and also in several court cases regarding New Religious
Movements. Subliminal advertising is thought of as an
unproven method of mind control in which messages are
relayed to the public by being hidden in broadcasted advertisements.
HYPNOSIS
Hypnosis is a psychological
condition in which some people may be induced to show
various differences in behavior and thinking. Although
some individuals experience an increase in suggestibility
and subjective feelings of an 'altered state of consciousness',
this is not true for everyone. In fact, some supposed
hypnotic indicators and subjective changes can be achieved
without relaxation or a lengthy induction, a fact that
increases the controversy around hypnosis.
Some scientists have disputed
its very existence, while others insist upon both its
reality and value. One fundamental distinction in hypnosis
theory is between 'state' and 'non-state' approaches to
hypnosis. State theorists believe that hypnosis is an
altered state of consciousness, whereas non-state theorists
believe that hypnotic effects are the product of more-mundane
psychological processes such as absorption and expectancy.
This controversy may be decreasing as modern brain-imaging
techniques offer hope for an increased understanding of
the nature of hypnosis and the value of both perspectives
is increasingly recognized.
Details of hypnotic procedures
and suggestions will differ depending on the goals of
the practitioner and the purposes of the clinical or research
endeavor. Procedures traditionally involve suggestions
to relax, though relaxation is not necessary for hypnosis
and a wide variety of suggestions can be used including
those to become more alert.
Much research has been conducted
into the nature and effects of hypnosis and suggestion,
and hypnosis continues to be a popular (if somewhat peripheral)
tool in contemporary psychological research.
Some hypnotized subjects
seem possessed, that is because possession involves a
similar socio-cognitive context, a similar role-playing
arrangement and rapport. The hypnotist provides the suggestions
and the subject responds to the suggestions.
Many experienced hypnotists
claim that they can hypnotize almost anyone. They also
claim it is a myth that people with strong will power
cannot be hypnotized, as they claim these generally make
the best participants. This is based on the idea that
those who are most intelligent are also the most creative
and as such they will make strong associations with the
structure of language used by the hypnotist and by the
visual or auditory representations inside of their mind.
On the other hand, there is a common claim that no one
can really be hypnotized against his or her will. The
counter-claim given by many hypnotists is that while you
cannot make someone do anything against their will, you
can change what it is that they wish to do.
The general effects of hypnotism
include focused attention, suggestibility and judgment.
This school of thought holds that hypnosis as a state
is very similar to other states of extreme concentration,
where a person becomes oblivious to his or her surroundings
while lost in thought. It often appears as if the hypnotized
participant accepts the authority of the hypnotist over
his or her own experience. When asked after the conclusion
of such a session, some participants appear to be genuinely
unable to recall the incident. Some believe that hypnosis
can affect the subject's judgment and therefore could
potentially cause them harm.
SITES
DEALING WITH MIND CONTROL:
The
Skeptics Dictionary: Mind Control
Conspiracy
Theories: Mind Control
The
Secrets of Mind Control
The following is a documentary
that was on History’s Mysteries about Mind Control.
Mind
Control: America's Secret War
Inside
the Legend by Dean5339
