The Nature of Hypnosis and Other Altered States of Consciousness: An Ego Psychological Theory 1

Consciousness spans a continuum from hyper-alert waking states to deep sleep and anesthesia. Altered states of consciousness (ASCs) include hypnosis, daydreaming, psychedelic drug-induced states, meditation, and the inspirational phase of creativity. Psychoanalytic theory places cognitive modes on a continuum from drive-dominated, prelogical primary process to reality-oriented, logical secondary process. The chapter maps the primary-versus-secondary process balance for 15 states. Intellectual learning occurs during phases of ego activity; emotional learning during phases of ego receptivity.

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Abstract

Many states of consciousness exist and are being investigated scientifically. They range from hyper-alert waking states to the deepest stages of sleep and anesthesia. An altered state of consciousness (ASC) is a cognitive state different from the waking state. This chapter focuses on to five types of ASCs: hypnosis, daydreaming, ASCs induced by psychedelic drugs, meditative states, and the inspirational phase of the creative process. According to psychoanalytic theory cognitive modes and organizations range on a continuum from the drive-dominated, prelogical, pre verbal, imaginative primary process to the reality oriented, goal-directed, logically ordered, rational, concrete or abstract conceptual secondary process. The chapter shows the primary process versus secondary process balance for 15 states of consciousness. The intellectual learning in the states of consciousness takes place during the phases of ego activity; the emotional learning during phases of ego receptivity.