Consciousness (II)
In the 1950s, the philosopher U. T. Place proposed a theory that harmonized the original notion of mental activity and the use of scientific methods. He proposed that mental states and events can be observed by the science of psychobiology as they correspond to similar states and events of the nervous system. Hence, these phenomena can be observed internally (by introspection) as well as externally.
In recent times, studies on cognitive psychology have discovered that a great deal of mental activity is done unperceived by consciousness. Other studies are underway on the relation between stimuli and sensations, and on the function of attention. Altered states of consciousness are also researched as they represent unusual mental experiences. A hierarchical organization theory has been proposed according to which the brain would divide into high- and low-level centers, the former commanding the latter.
A great deal of work has been dedicated to the subject of hypnosis, a phenomenon that instigated Freud's research on the unconscious. A hypnotized person follows instructions automatically without criticism and can have perceptions induced by the hypnotist, even if they are opposed to reality. Post-hypnotic suggestions can affect memory and the awareness of self when the individual is awake. He can be ordered to not remember something, or to perform some activity without knowing what he is doing. The actions that he can be induced to carry out, nevertheless, are only those that he would not truly oppose when awake.
While hypnotized, the person can be induced to believe that he is younger or even a child. He will respond in a childish manner and give every sign of being living past episodes of his life. This is called 'age regression,' and during it the subject will describe things and persons accordingly to the age to which he has regressed.
Hypnosis is a capability of the hypnotized person rather than of the hypnotist. Some individuals are hypnotized more easily than the rest, and a person cannot be hypnotized against his will. While hypnotized, the individual may appear asleep and as if in a trance, his responses being like those of a sleepwalker. Nonetheless, study of brain waves has shown mental activity similar to that of a waking individual. If the person is instructed to ignore his environment, he will apparently be unaware of it, but it can still be shown to be perceived.
The hypnotist control is by no means absolute--the subject will not only oppose to accomplish any action against his beliefs, but may also reject any particular suggestion that he does not like. For instance, he may lie even if ordered to tell the truth. In the case of age regression, impressive as this feat can be, recollection of past events is not historically precise and it is often affected by events not of the same epoch. In spite of this, the feelings of the person are generally credible, and hence hypnosis is useful in psychotherapeutic treatment.
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