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Regression are you so sure?
It has been found according the research at Cornell University, as reported in Science Daily July 23 2010, published online in the journal of Experimental Child Psychology. Experiences that have negative emotions attached to them are when true memory levels are lowest and false memory levels are the highest.
Exactly the opposite of the leading theories of emotional memory are found true, which stated that the more intense the experience the more reliable the memory would be. When you add arousal or the emotional need to recall these hidden memories, in was found that the act of recalling these experiences proved memory was distorted even more.
These results have been replicated by two psychologists in China giving even more validity to the findings. They have been able to show that negative emotional experiences lead to the most distorted recall of those situations.
This has rocked the U.S legal system due to in the great preponderance of legal cases the evidence relies on the recall of the memory of events... This research has been supported by the National Science Foundation.
In light of these findings, the act of Regression could be put in the area of only a possibility of an event and not fact of an event. It has even been stated that the recall under Regression only serves to satisfy an inner wanting of “reason” of an action or situation enacting the inner excuse pattern of the psychology of the mind.
I have done a lot of research in this area due to the fact it is used so often in our profession, I still think there are times when Regression can be helpful, but I do wonder if we put to much emphases on it.
A person who is serious about helping others would at least take this research in consideration, or to do think that this is to bold of a statement?
Tony
Exactly the opposite of the leading theories of emotional memory are found true, which stated that the more intense the experience the more reliable the memory would be. When you add arousal or the emotional need to recall these hidden memories, in was found that the act of recalling these experiences proved memory was distorted even more.
These results have been replicated by two psychologists in China giving even more validity to the findings. They have been able to show that negative emotional experiences lead to the most distorted recall of those situations.
This has rocked the U.S legal system due to in the great preponderance of legal cases the evidence relies on the recall of the memory of events... This research has been supported by the National Science Foundation.
In light of these findings, the act of Regression could be put in the area of only a possibility of an event and not fact of an event. It has even been stated that the recall under Regression only serves to satisfy an inner wanting of “reason” of an action or situation enacting the inner excuse pattern of the psychology of the mind.
I have done a lot of research in this area due to the fact it is used so often in our profession, I still think there are times when Regression can be helpful, but I do wonder if we put to much emphases on it.
A person who is serious about helping others would at least take this research in consideration, or to do think that this is to bold of a statement?
Tony
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on -
Welcome to the dance - Tony!
=^..^= Are REGRESSIVE and/or ABREACTIVE THERAPIES Sacred Cows? =^..^= - HypnoThoughts.com
http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/are-regressive-andor?comm...
What's Wrong with a Good Regression? - HypnoThoughts.com
http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/whats-wrong-with-a-good?g...
Why-oh-why do I hear so much about regression to cause? - HypnoThoughts.com
http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/whyohwhy-do-i-hear-so-muc...
iaph- hypnoanalysis - HypnoThoughts.com
http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/iaph-hypnoanalysis
Michael E.
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Permalink Reply by Johnie Fredman on
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Perception IS reality. Regression has nothing to do with the "truth" of the memory at all. The memory can be blatantly false and completely fabricated, but still be very real in its emotional consequences. When I do regression work, I never assume the memory is accurate. The point is achieving a release of the emotions that are holding the person back. They are welcome to put whatever story to those emotions that they wish.
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Permalink Reply by tony cott on -
Michael:
Ha ha I knew that this had be have been addressed before , but for the sake of those who don’t do searches into old post, and the fact that Regression has been all over the Forum. I thought it would be wise to bring this up again.
After being here, yes I realize for only a short time it appears there is a small circle of people who participate on the Forum and since there are like four thousand people within this site there must be a very big silent majority.
Peace to you Michael, it’s a pleasure getting to meet those who have such well thought out opinions and viewpoints.
Tony
Michael Ellner said:Welcome to the dance - Tony!
=^..^= Are REGRESSIVE and/or ABREACTIVE THERAPIES Sacred Cows? =^..^= - HypnoThoughts.com
http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/are-regressive-andor?comm...
What's Wrong with a Good Regression? - HypnoThoughts.com
http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/whats-wrong-with-a-good?g...
Why-oh-why do I hear so much about regression to cause? - HypnoThoughts.com
http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/whyohwhy-do-i-hear-so-muc...
iaph- hypnoanalysis - HypnoThoughts.com
http://www.hypnothoughts.com/forum/topics/iaph-hypnoanalysis
Michael E.
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Permalink Reply by Michael Haifleigh on -
Tony,
This is one of those topics that many Hypnosis Practitioners have difficulty discussing. It seems to provoke a lot of emotion that can be "uncomfortable" to tolerate/experience.
Memories, their meaning, and how they are worked with can make for an interesting and valuable discussion for any Hypnosis Practitioner.
Michael
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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on -
Research into false memory has shown just how easy it is to create false memories, both in adults and children, and any regression work needs to be undertaken with that in mind. While it's possible to guide a client through a regression in such a way as to not influence the client, there's still no guarantee that anything the client experiences is accurate. Because of the popular misunderstandings about memory and about hypnosis as a tool to recover memory, it's important to make that clear to the client when doing regression. Anything less is irresponsible.
James
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Permalink Reply by John Cleesattel on -
Tony,
When it comes to how we feel, it is what is perceived that is accepted, not what is real. This doesn't mean that our feelings were created from a figment of our imagination with no basis, it just means that the reality of the situation was distorted.
A prime example of this is an irrational fear, say, a fear of bugs. To the person that has the fear, the bug is not just a 1/2 long harmless insect, it is perceived as a huge threatening monster.
I have never agreed with using regression in a legal setting for just this reason, but as a technique to help people change the way they feel, it is a very effective one.
Just my thoughts
John
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Permalink Reply by Melissa J. Roth on
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Tony,
Like all hypnotherapists I was taught to use regression to cause for releasing undesired emotions. I found myself using it less and less over the years to the point where I rarely use it at all anymore. Why? Because I found that simply asking the unconscious mind if it could change those emotions to some that are healthy, positive and beneficial usually works. Promise to give the unconscious mind tools and support and then ask it in a very straight forward manner if it can change? If it says "yes" then ask it to change and provide a laundry list of options it could choose/use instead. With my clients this almost always works. It's quicker and easier for everyone involved. On the rare occasions when it says 'no" the reason almost always is that it feels insecure or doesn't know how to change. Again, provide a laundry list of options and it will pick one or use the laundry list as a primer to develop its own.
From a lazy hypnotherapist.....
Melissa
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Permalink Reply by James Hazlerig on
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Lazy. :-)
It's an old Army trick to assign a new task to the laziest soldier in the platoon, because he'll come up with the most efficient way to get it done . . .
James
Melissa J. Roth said:Tony,
Like all hypnotherapists I was taught to use regression to cause for releasing undesired emotions. I found myself using it less and less over the years to the point where I rarely use it at all anymore. Why? Because I found that simply asking the unconscious mind if it could change those emotions to some that are healthy, positive and beneficial usually works. Promise to give the unconscious mind tools and support and then ask it in a very straight forward manner if it can change? If it says "yes" then ask it to change and provide a laundry list of options it could choose/use instead. With my clients this almost always works. It's quicker and easier for everyone involved. On the rare occasions when it says 'no" the reason almost always is that it feels insecure or doesn't know how to change. Again, provide a laundry list of options and it will pick one or use the laundry list as a primer to develop its own.
From a lazy hypnotherapist.....
Melissa
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on
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Hey John,
Do you agree that a technique that is safe and effective when used by you could be ineffective and harmful when used by a lesser hypnotist?
Michael E.
John Cleesattel said:Tony,
When it comes to how we feel, it is what is perceived that is accepted, not what is real. This doesn't mean that our feelings were created from a figment of our imagination with no basis, it just means that the reality of the situation was distorted.
A prime example of this is an irrational fear, say, a fear of bugs. To the person that has the fear, the bug is not just a 1/2 long harmless insect, it is perceived as a huge threatening monster.
I have never agreed with using regression in a legal setting for just this reason, but as a technique to help people change the way they feel, it is a very effective one.
Just my thoughts
John
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on
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I was thrilled to see you start this discussion - Tony.
I am amazed at the number of people in our community who don't seem to understand that Elman's contribution to "Hypnotherapy" was based on theories and practices that are really, really out-dated - today.
I would think that in the same way that Regressive/Abreactive therapies have become relics of psychiatry and psychology these techniques would be replaced by modern hypnotic models and techniques... Not so!
The great news is that it is never too late to discover that we empower the techniques that we use. In other words, any technique is only as good or as bad as the hypnosis practitioner using it. We can keep the Elman induction if we want to and ditch his model of hypnotherapy -- It is never too late to modernize one's theories and practice...
And as always - I am just sharing my opinion.
Thanks for breathing new life into this discussion.
Michael E.
tony cott said:Michael:
Ha ha I knew that this had be have been addressed before , but for the sake of those who don’t do searches into old post, and the fact that Regression has been all over the Forum. I thought it would be wise to bring this up again.
After being here, yes I realize for only a short time it appears there is a small circle of people who participate on the Forum and since there are like four thousand people within this site there must be a very big silent majority.
Peace to you Michael, it’s a pleasure getting to meet those who have such well thought out opinions and viewpoints.
Tony
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Permalink Reply by Michael Ellner on
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@ Michael H,
Does this reaction to new information remind you of the NPR interview that you posted - about "backfire" phenomenon? A self-hypnotic avoidance of "dangerous information" that George Orwell called "Protective Stupidity"
Just asking?
Michael E.
Michael Haifleigh said:Tony,
This is one of those topics that many Hypnosis Practitioners have difficulty discussing. It seems to provoke a lot of emotion that can be "uncomfortable" to tolerate/experience.
Memories, their meaning, and how they are worked with can make for an interesting and valuable discussion for any Hypnosis Practitioner.
Michael
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Permalink Reply by Michael Haifleigh on
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Michael,
I’m not sure what you’re “just asking”.
I’m not up on the “leading adult theories” regarding the accuracy of memory related to negative emotional experience.
It’s my understanding that when someone is experiencing “fight/flight stress”, or in the words of the Science Daily article, a “negative event” that people often experience things like tunnel vision, auditory exclusion, a reduced ability to perceive what is happening, and a reduced ability to accurately recount what did happen.
I was surprised to hear that “…leading memory theories embraced by the legal system claim that adults remember negative events better than children and have fewer false memories about them.” That somehow sounds a bit self-serving for the State.
I did find the following idea interesting: “…adults attach far more meaning to events than children do.”
That would square with my experience. Adults have much more data to draw from when creating meaning for an experience.
Note: I'm not certain that the following is the same article that Tony is talking about.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/07/100722215052.htm
Adults Recall Negative Events Less Accurately Than Children, Study Finds
ScienceDaily (July 23, 2010) — Emotions -- particularly those provoked by negative events -- can cause distorted, inaccurate memories, but less often in children than in adults, according to a new Cornell study.
The findings, published online in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, contradict prevailing legal and psychological thinking and have implications for the criminal justice system, report Charles Brainerd and Valerie Reyna, professors of human development and co-authors of the 2005 book "The Science of False Memory."
The researchers previously demonstrated that adults attach far more meaning to events than children do. But leading memory theories embraced by the legal system claim that adults remember negative events better than children and have fewer false memories about them. Brainerd and Reyna's data show these theories are not accurate.
Experiments conducted at Cornell's Memory and Neuroscience Laboratory show that experiences that stimulate negative emotions are very bad for the accuracy of children's memories but even worse for adults. When an experience has negative emotional qualities, true memory levels are lowest and false memory levels are highest.
The researchers tested children, ages seven and 11, and young adults, ages 18-23, by showing them lists of closely related emotional words -- pain, cut, ouch, cry, injury -- but in each list some related words -- such as "hurt" -- were missing. When asked to recognize words from the list, respondents would mistakenly remember "hurt" as one of the words. These mistakes allowed researchers to determine the level of emotion-induced false memory at each age.
"We found something different than what leading theories of emotional memory in adults say," Brainerd said. Those theories say that "When you're involved in a very negative experience of some sort, like a crime, it focuses your mind, and you really pay attention to details.
"But our research showed that exactly the opposite is true. By manipulating the emotional content of word lists, we found that materials that had negative emotional content in fact produced the highest levels of false memory. And when you add arousal to the equation, memory was distorted more." Two experimental psychologists in China have contacted Brainerd to say that they have successfully replicated all of these results.
Brainerd and Reyna's work "shows that these leading adult theories -- namely that your memory is preferentially accurate for negative emotional experiences -- are wrong," Brainerd said. "We've been able to show that memory is most distorted in those situations."
The implications of the findings are profound for the U.S. legal system. Brainerd, who directs Cornell's psychology and law program, said forensic evidence is gathered in fewer than 10 percent of U.S. felonies, and in less than half of those can the evidence actually be used to prosecute the case.
"In the great preponderance of legal cases, the only evidence that's determinative is what people say happened," Brainerd said. "That's it. So the question of the conditions under which your memory of events is distorted is the most fundamental question about the reliability of evidence -- because it is most of the evidence.
"One of the main reasons why people look at memory and memory distortion is the legal connection," Brainerd said. "In the law, you're dealing with events that are emotional. So the question of whether or not the emotional content of experiences that you're trying to remember screws up your memory is a really big question."
The National Science Foundation supported this research.
Michael
Michael Ellner said:@ Michael H,
Does this reaction to new information remind you of the NPR interview that you posted - about "backfire" phenomenon? A self-hypnotic avoidance of "dangerous information" that George Orwell called "Protective Stupidity"
Just asking?
Michael E.
Michael Haifleigh said:Tony,
This is one of those topics that many Hypnosis Practitioners have difficulty discussing. It seems to provoke a lot of emotion that can be "uncomfortable" to tolerate/experience.
Memories, their meaning, and how they are worked with can make for an interesting and valuable discussion for any Hypnosis Practitioner.
Michael
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