Since 1979, when the second edition of Erika Fromm and Ronald E. Shor's classic Hypnosis was published, the field of experimental hypnosis has expanded enormously. Filling the need for a definitive reference that incorporates the plethora of ideas and methodologies that have emerged over the last 13 years, this completely new volume continues in the Fromm-Shor tradition by presenting an authoritative survey of contemporary hypnosis research, methodology, and theory. To provide the reader with an even-handed, complete treatment of all currently prominent research areas and theories in one book, chapter authors were selected to represent the entire range of the field. Divided into three parts, the book first reviews both the theoretical perspectives and history of hypnosis research.
Chapters in Part II cover empirically based theories with discussion of dissociation, psychopathology and psychological regression, as well as explication of a social-psychological approach and an ego-psychological theory. Surveying the broad areas of hypnosis research, Part III presents chapters on an array of topics including research design and considerations, phenomenology, neuropsychophysiology, and methodology in psychological research. Situational and personality correlates of hypnotic responsiveness and the effects of hypnotic procedures on memory are examined, and the relationship between hypnosis and creativity is discussed. Other subjects covered are the experiential method, self-hypnosis and personality, clinical research, and the measurement of hypnotic ability. In addition, the editors have gathered the book's over 1,450 references into one large bibliographic section, making this an ideal resource that will be used often and easily.
Veteran researchers and theoreticians will find the chapters on theoretical paradigms and programmatic research in this scholarly resource both informative and challenging. Students and beginning researchers will find CONTEMPORARY HYPNOSIS RESEARCH to be the perfect hands-on tool, providing them with conceptual underpinnings, methodological perspectives, and scholarly documentation. Psychologists, social workers, physicians, and other clinicians who wish to gain better empirical and theoretical understanding of the field will find it an excellent reference.
