A History of Hypnotism
Published on 31. March 1995
Book
Paperback/Softback
760 pages
978-0-521-48329-2 (ISBN)
Description
In 1778, Franz Anton Mesmer introduced to Paris his theory of 'animal magnetism' and so began a school of thought which gradually spread across Europe and America. This book traces the history of the phenomena, practice and theory of mesmerism, hypnotism and multiple personality disorder. It discusses the ideas and influences of leading figures in the movement and decribes the use of the techniques in medical practice. Case histories and anecdotal accounts are used throughout to provide a fascinating insight into this controversial subject. In his epilogue, Gauld discusses modern approaches to hypnotism and multiple personality disorder, the role of hypnotism in clinical practice, and offers some ideas for understanding these intriguing phenomena. This detailed and scholarly work will be of interest to psychiatrists, psychologists and medical historians, as well as to the interested general reader.
Reviews / Votes
' a useful reference tool ...'. Roger Cooter, British Medical Journal ' for those who want a complete history of the early phase of hypnotism, this book is well worth reading.' P. J. Whorwell, Lancet '...massive, authoritative and erudite ... will surely remain the standard history of hypnotism for a long time to come.' Society for Psychical ResearchMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Cambridge
United Kingdom
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Illustrations
12 Halftones, unspecified
Dimensions
Height: 244 mm
Width: 170 mm
Thickness: 40 mm
Weight
1286 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-521-48329-2 (9780521483292)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Alan Gauld
A History of Hypnotism
Book
11/1992
Cambridge University Press
€124.00
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Previous edition
Alan Gauld
A History of Hypnotism
Book
11/1992
Cambridge University Press
€124.00
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Alan Gauld (b 1932) is a British psychologist who taught biological psychology and neuropsychology at the University of Nottingham. He is author of the critically-acclaimed "A History of Hypnotism" (1992). Gauld is well-known in the psi research community for his investigations and commentary, notably in the areas of poltergeists, mediumship and the early history of psychical research. He is a past president of the Society for Psychical Research, and is author of "Mediumship and Survival" and "The Founders of Psychical Research."
Content
Prologue: Franz Anton Mesmer; Part I. The Successors of Mesmer: 1. The Royal Commissions and the pamphlet war; 2. Puysegur; 3. Phenomena and speculations 1784-1789; 4. Mesmerism in the German-speaking countries; 5. Kluge; 6. The revival of magnetism in France; 7. Mesmerism and the medical profession in France 1820-1840; 8. Mystical magnetism: Germany; 9. Mystical magnetism: France; 10. Mesmerism in the United States; 11. Mesmerism in Britain; 12. Topics from the Zoist; 13. Animal magnetism: retrospect and reflections; Part II. The Heyday of Hypnotism: 14. Precursors of hypnotism; 15. Hypnotism and scientific orthodoxy 1875-1885; 16. The Nancy school; 17. Pierre Janet and his influence; 18. Dipsychists and polypsychists; 19. Hypnotism and multiple personality in the United States; 20. Hypnotism and suggestion at the turn of the century I: preliminary considerations; 21. The turn of the century II: hypnotic phenomena; 22. The turn of the century III: uses and applications of hypnotism; 23. The turn of the century IV: states ostensibly related to hypnosis; 24. The turn of the century V: theories of hypnosis; 25. The decline of hypnotism; Epilogue: hypnotism today: Barber and beyond.