Sakari Kallio
Head of Division/Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience
This research focuses on hypnosis, and aims to produce a theoretical article that revisits the phenomena first observed and described by early researchers such as Bernheim, Liebault, and Bertrand.
Originally, the phenomena studied under hypnosis involved cognitive processing outside of conscious awareness, leading to behaviors and experiences such as automatic and genuine hallucinations, which cannot be produced voluntarily.
Today, the understanding of hypnosis has shifted significantly from its conceptual origins in the late 19th century. This article under preparation traces the evolution of hypnosis up to the present day, particularly emphasizing the changes following the introduction of hypnosis susceptibility scales in the 1960s. Many contemporary researchers have moved away from these core phenomena, redirecting hypnosis studies towards conscious problem-solving and immersive imagery.
The goal is to reintegrate these foundational phenomena into mainstream cognitive neuroscience and the broader study of altered states of consciousness.