The Nature of Hypnosis and Other Altered States of Consciousness: An Ego Psychological Theory 1
July 12, 2017 E. Fromm
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.