More than often, [tag-tec]hypnosis[/tag-tec] techniques center primarily on what the hypnotist does or says to induce trances, with too little attention directed to what the subjects are doing and experiencing. Actually, the development of a trance state is an intrapsychic phenomenon, dependent upon internal processes, and the activity of the [tag-tec]hypnotist[/tag-tec] serves only to create a favorable situation. As an analogy, an incubator supplies a favorable environment for the hatching of eggs, but the actual hatching derives from the development of life processes within the egg.

In hypnotic trance induction inexperienced hypnotists often try to direct or bend the subject´s behavior to fit their conception of how the subject “should” behave. There should be a constant minimization of the role of the hypnotist and a constant enlargement of the subject´s role. An example may be cited of a volunteer subject, later used to teach
[tag-ice]hypnosis[/tag-ice] to medical students. After a general discussion of hypnosis, she expressed a willingness to go into a trance immediately. The suggestion was offered that she select the chair and position she felt would be most comfortable. When she had settled herself to her satisfaction, she remarked that she would like to smoke a cigarette. She was immediately given one, and she proceeded to smoke lazily, meditatively watching the smoke drifting upward. Casual conversational remarks were offered about the pleasure of smoking, of watching the curling smoke, the feeling of ease in lifting the cigarette to her mouth, the inner sense of satisfaction of becoming entirely absorbed just in smoking comfortably and without need to attend to any external things. Shortly, casual remarks were made about inhaling and exhaling, these words timed to fit in with her actual breathing. Others were made about the case with which she could almost automatically lift her cigarette to her mouth and then lower her hand to the arm of the chair. These remarks were also timed to coincide with her actual behavior. Soon the words “inhale,” “exhale,” “lift,” and “lower” acquired a conditioning value of which she was unaware because of the seemingly conversational character of the suggestions. Similarly, casual suggestions were offered in which the words “sleep,” “sleepy,” and “sleeping” were timed to her eyelid behavior.

Before she had finished the cigarette, she developed a light trance. Then the suggestion was made that she might continue to enjoy smoking as she slept more and more soundly; that the cigarette would be looked after by the [tag-ice]hypnotist[/tag-ice] while she absorbed herself more and more completely in deep sleep; that, as she slept, she would continue to experience the satisfying feelings and sensations of smoking. A satisfactory profound trance resulted, and she was given extensive training to teach her to respond in accord with her own unconscious pattern of behavior.

Thereafter she was presented on a number of occasions to groups of medical students as a volunteer subject with whom they might work. However, her request to smoke a cigarette was variously handled by the students. Some tactfully dissuaded her from thus postponing the [tag-tec]trance induction[/tag-tec], some joined her in smoking, and some patiently waited for her to finish. Only after the cigarette question was disposed of in some manner was she allowed to settle down to the task of being [tag-ice]hypnotized[/tag-ice]. The result in every instance was a failure.

At a final session with all of the students who had participated, two other students were brought in separately to attempt to [tag-ice]hypnotize[/tag-ice] her. Both of these had been given independently the above account of the author´s utilization of the subject´s behavior. Both induced profound trances. Then the other students, following the examples set them, also succeeded. This case has been cited in some detail since it illustrates so clearly the importance of hypnotists´ adapting whatever technique they may be employing to the behavioral activities of the subject. To interpret that subject´s desire to smoke as an active resistance to hypnotic trance induction would be incorrect; rather, it was an expression of an actual willingness to cooperate in a way fitting to her needs. It needed to be utilized as such rather than to be overcome or abolished as resistance.