(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 storylines 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 induce 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/.
© 2015
