(This blog was originally posted on October 13, 2014)
One of the most
prevalent myths and misconceptions about hypnosis is that it is a form of mind
control. This notion is so widespread that several popular books, films and
television series have included story-lines wherein a character is hypnotized to
do something dangerous, illegal and likely detrimental to his or her survival. Cases
in point: the use of “compulsion” in L.J. Smith’s young-adult novels and popular
CW television series, The Vampire Diaries.
First, let me
reassure you that you cannot be made to say or do anything in hypnosis that you would not say or do when you are in a
wide-awake, alert state. If your subconscious mind does not “agree” with the
hypnotic suggestion, you simply would not do it. Furthermore, as a certified
hypnotherapist I would not ask you to do anything that goes against your moral
and ethical standards. Needless to say, it would also be unethical for me to
ask you to do so.
Having said
that… I find the concept of compulsion in the context of The Vampire Diaries absolutely fascinating. In my blog titled Gullibility,
Suggestibility, Hypnosis I describe how a person can induce a trance state
in another person and get him or her to behave in a certain way. The process by
which the vampires get their victims to act in a certain way—usually, to stay
still and “don’t scream” before an attack—is practically a textbook example of
how this kind of hypnotic induction works. This is why:
- They have authority. If you are familiar with the series, you know that in addition to their myriad supernatural abilities, Stefan and Damon Salvatore and the vampires in question are charismatic, charming and, of course, very good looking. They literally command an audience when they enter a room. If you are (un)lucky enough to make direct eye contact with one of them and you do not know their true identity, you will be suggestible to their confidence, charisma and physical attractiveness. If you do know that they are vampires, your natural fear about how the encounter might end will induce its own kind of trance. Either way, you will not only will you be told what to do and when to do it, you will be helpless to resist the command.
- They have a message. That message can be about almost anything, although it is usually an instruction to the unwitting victim that he or she must perform a specific task that will help conceal the vampire’s true identity in the community. Of course, the content of that message is inconsequential for the above reason(s).
- They overload the person’s subconscious mind to accept the message without question. In this case, the vampire locks eyes with the intended victim and gives the instruction (compulsion) in a whisper or hushed voice. By this point, the person’s subconscious mind truly is overwhelmed by the monster’s charm, strength and powers of persuasion that the individual is willing to do as he or she has been instructed.
Whenever I
watch The Vampire Diaries I must
suspend my disbelief about how the characters use hypnosis—as well as my own
experience of how hypnosis really works—so I can just enjoy the “fantastic”
elements of the story. Remember, you would not behave that way because someone
else told you to while you are hypnotized unless you would do these things or
hold a specific belief when you are in an alert and aware state. Having said
that, the next time a barista overwhelms you with so many options about
beverage-cup sizes and pastries to accompany your quadruple latte that you actually
purchase a croissant you never planned on buying, you were probably hypnotized.
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a certified hypnotherapist based in
Southern California. She graduated with honors from the Hypnosis Motivation
Institute in 2005. For more
information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy® and to set up an
appointment, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
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