Turn-taking in Deep Hypnosis: A Practical Guide

Abstract

Professionals cannot agree on what hypnosis is. In an effort to solve this problem, some researchers have called for the study of hypnotist and subject interaction. Others have cautioned that research with highly accomplished subjects is essential. Drawing on conversation analysis, this book examines and documents how the hypnotist and the highly accomplished subject take turns to talk, while the client remains deeply hypnotised. The book questions established understandings in the field of hypnosis, and raises new issues about the ways in which turn- taking contributes to deep hypnosis. It also extends prior work on turn-taking by entering nonvocal data into the turn-taking rules, and by considering a new domain for conversation analytic investigation. Numerous examples and illustrations accompany the analyses. The author concludes that turn-taking in deep hypnosis occurs across levels of awareness. With this (and other) findings the book establishes that turn-taking is fundamental to how deep hypnosis actually works. Turn-taking in deep hypnosis is, therefore, an important reference for policy makers, theorists, researchers, and practitioners.