Robber Hypnotizes Store Clerk
Why Everyone Needs to Take Training in Hypnosis
I have said it before and feel compelled to say it again- just because you are a licensed therapist doesn’t mean you understand hypnosis. Case in point is a recent video interview on MSNBC with Dr. Joy Brown (see link below)
I have said it before and feel compelled to say it again- just because you are a licensed therapist doesn’t mean you understand hypnosis. Case in point is a recent video interview on MSNBC with Dr. Joy Brown (see link below)
about a series of robberies in Italy in which the bandit “hypnotized” the cashier and “suggested” that they hand him all the cash in the register, which they did.
Dr. Browne laughed off the idea that someone could be made to do something in hypnosis that violated their ethics or morals. Dr. Browne also stated that the reason the clerks gave away the cash was that they were doing the smart thing. After all they’re minimum wage employees faced with a crazy person demanding money. Forking over the lira makes sense.
On both these points the doctor and I are in complete agreement. It is smart store policy to turn over the cash to a robber without a fight. Cash can be replaced. People can not. And it is a childish fantasy to believe that you can hypnotize a person and make them do your absolute bidding. Whether you think you are Svengali or use “street hypnosis”- I hate to break it to you - but the people you are hypnotizing are not “in your power.” Grow up.
So, as far as control and the power of hypnosis are concerned, Dr. Browne and I are on the same page. Beyond that however we are barely in the same chapter. First, Dr. Browne states that very few people are “suggestible”. Perhaps P.T. Barnum had it wrong when he said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” but I don’t think so.
Most people are highly suggestible. Suggestibility is the reason that marketing works. Suggestibility is the reason you cry when the hero on TV dies- even through you know he’s living in Malibu and dating a supermodel! Suggestibility is the reason an athlete can take the coach’s “suggestions” and turn them it into performance on the court, course or field. The reason people don’t just hand over money when it is “suggested” to them to do so is that most people who have a job- even a menial one- just aren’t that stupid. Stupidity and suggestibility are not the same.
My second beef with the Doctor’s assessment of the hypno-bandit comes when she is asked by the interviewer if someone “could be hypnotized that quickly.” Her answer is no and here is where the lack of exposure shows through. Just about every Hypnosis 101 class demonstrates (or should demonstrate) the shock or rapid induction. Most variations of rapid hypnosis involve overloading the nervous system with a startling command while simultaneously disturbing the subject’s equilibrium. Rapid hypnosis takes about 3 seconds and uses the same principles as an arm levitation induction which could take 20 minutes. The rapid inductions can be very effective when a person is slow to respond to conventional attempts at inducing hypnosis.
Dr. Browne laughed off the idea that someone could be made to do something in hypnosis that violated their ethics or morals. Dr. Browne also stated that the reason the clerks gave away the cash was that they were doing the smart thing. After all they’re minimum wage employees faced with a crazy person demanding money. Forking over the lira makes sense.
On both these points the doctor and I are in complete agreement. It is smart store policy to turn over the cash to a robber without a fight. Cash can be replaced. People can not. And it is a childish fantasy to believe that you can hypnotize a person and make them do your absolute bidding. Whether you think you are Svengali or use “street hypnosis”- I hate to break it to you - but the people you are hypnotizing are not “in your power.” Grow up.
So, as far as control and the power of hypnosis are concerned, Dr. Browne and I are on the same page. Beyond that however we are barely in the same chapter. First, Dr. Browne states that very few people are “suggestible”. Perhaps P.T. Barnum had it wrong when he said, “There’s a sucker born every minute.” but I don’t think so.
Most people are highly suggestible. Suggestibility is the reason that marketing works. Suggestibility is the reason you cry when the hero on TV dies- even through you know he’s living in Malibu and dating a supermodel! Suggestibility is the reason an athlete can take the coach’s “suggestions” and turn them it into performance on the court, course or field. The reason people don’t just hand over money when it is “suggested” to them to do so is that most people who have a job- even a menial one- just aren’t that stupid. Stupidity and suggestibility are not the same.
My second beef with the Doctor’s assessment of the hypno-bandit comes when she is asked by the interviewer if someone “could be hypnotized that quickly.” Her answer is no and here is where the lack of exposure shows through. Just about every Hypnosis 101 class demonstrates (or should demonstrate) the shock or rapid induction. Most variations of rapid hypnosis involve overloading the nervous system with a startling command while simultaneously disturbing the subject’s equilibrium. Rapid hypnosis takes about 3 seconds and uses the same principles as an arm levitation induction which could take 20 minutes. The rapid inductions can be very effective when a person is slow to respond to conventional attempts at inducing hypnosis.
My third point of disagreement is in the Doctor’s unfortunate use of the phrase “under hypnosis.” “Under” is a pejorative term. Think of the underlining message behind the phrases “under a spell” or “under my thumb” and you will quickly see why knowledgeable hypnotists use the term “in” as opposed to “under” when referring to the hypnotic state. “In” builds rapport while “under” breeds resistance. I am not picking on the Doctor. Hypnosis achieves its effect with words so semantics matter. Wise hypnotists chose their words well to avoid being thrown “under the bus.”
Now don’t get me wrong. It is obvious that Joy Browne is a very bright and intelligent person. From her poise and confidence in front of the camera you can see she is loaded with personal power. I imagine that she is a gifted therapist. However, when it comes to hypnosis, it is doubtful that the doctor has done much more than read about the subject. It is also highly unlikely that she has ever been hypnotized. Talking about hypnosis without having experienced the state is like telling someone about cooking when you have never tasted food.
Even Carl Jung found hypnosis perplexing so Dr. Browne is easily forgiven.
But using hypnosis is a science and an art. No matter what your doctorate is in or how many years of med school you have, you still need to take the training to become a proficient practitioner or a knowledgeable spokesperson.
posted by John Zulli at
5:11 PM
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