hypnotists
They induce trances
Hypnotists are practitioners who induce hypnosis—a trance-like state of focused attention and heightened suggestibility.
Some work therapeutically, helping clients quit smoking or manage pain.
Others perform as entertainers, making volunteers cluck like chickens or forget their names: The stage hypnotist had the whole audience laughing.
Raised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- showmanDramatic, attention-grabbing performer
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
- entertainmentAgreeable diversion of attention
act · spectacle · illusion · demonstration · nightclub · Vegas · pocket watch · swinging
Underhanded control of others
- controlAuthority to direct
- SvengaliManipulative, dominating influence
- villainWicked story antagonist
- brainwashingCoercive psychological manipulation
coercion · exploitation · cult · unethical · predator · victim · influence · power
Mental health practitioner
- regressionReturn to former state
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- phobiaPersistent irrational dread
- smoking cessationDiscontinuing cigarette use
weight loss · anxiety · subconscious · relaxation · clinic · session · certification · licensed
One who studies systematically
- EricksonPatronymic meaning Eric's son
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- trance stateAltered awareness condition
- suggestibilityReadiness to accept influence
consciousness · dissociation · brainwaves · scientific · study · laboratory · neuroimaging · Freud
stage
Raised performance platform
- audienceGathered viewers collectively
- showmanDramatic, attention-grabbing performer
- volunteerUnpaid willing participant
entertainment · act · spectacle · illusion · demonstration · nightclub · Vegas · pocket watch · swinging · trance
manipulation
Underhanded control of others
brainwashing · coercion · exploitation · cult · unethical · predator · victim · influence · power · mesmerize
therapist
Mental health practitioner
- regressionReturn to former state
- traumaLasting psychological wound
- phobiaPersistent irrational dread
smoking cessation · weight loss · anxiety · subconscious · relaxation · clinic · session · certification · licensed · healing
researcher
One who studies systematically
- EricksonPatronymic meaning Eric's son
- psychologyStudy of mind, behavior
- trance stateAltered awareness condition
suggestibility · consciousness · dissociation · brainwaves · scientific · study · laboratory · neuroimaging · Freud · hysteria
- entertainerssingers, actor, dancers, actress, musicians
- occultistswitches, wizards, sorcerers, sorceresses, warlocks
- psychicspsychic, psychics, fortune teller, clairvoyant, clairvoyants
- deceiversliar, liars, deceiver, fraud, fake
hypnotistsawakeners
Things that rouse sleepers
subjects · deprogrammers · liberators · stimulators · sleepers
hypnotistsskeptics
Those who doubt claims
rationalists · debunkers · critical thinkers · logicians · empiricists
- stage hypnotistEntertainer suggesting acts onstage