James Braid: The Father of Hypnotism Essay by Joe K
James Braid: The Father of Hypnotism
A study of the history of James Braid, the father of hypnotism, and his contribution to the psychology field.
# 6831
| 1,500 words
| 10 sources
| APA
| 2000
| 
Published
on Feb 07, 2003
in
Psychology
(Behaviorism)
, Psychology
(Experimental)
, Psychology
(Freud)
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Description:
The paper studies the history of James Braid , the father of hypnotism. It shows how his interest in the field began with a mesmerist named Lafontaine, and developed into his own research. The author of the paper shows how Braid discovered that a hypnotic state could be induced by fixating the eyes on a single moving object placed in a position such that the muscles of the eye become fatigued, and how Braid's findings influenced many psychologists, including Sigmund Freud. The author shows too, how, after Braid's death in 1860, his influence faded, and only his book Neurypnology remains to carry on his ideas.
From the Paper:
"Besides hypnotism, I found no other reference to James Braid. He may not have done anything else of importance in his career, but his accomplishments changed psychology in many ways: the concepts of sleeping and unconsciousness, the minds’ control over the body, pain control, and subconscious thought. I find it uphauling that crackpots like Mesmer receive so much more recognition than Braid does. Mesmer may have made some interesting discoveries, but they were accidents – products of theatrical showboating. Braid made real contributions, but only faded into history. He may not have been extravagant, but his research formed the groundwork for many psychologists to come."Cite this Essay:
APA Format
James Braid: The Father of Hypnotism (2003, February 07)
Retrieved May 23, 2013, from http://www.academon.com/essay/james-braid-the-father-of-hypnotism-6831/
MLA Format
"James Braid: The Father of Hypnotism" 07 February 2003.
Web. 23 May. 2013. <http://www.academon.com/essay/james-braid-the-father-of-hypnotism-6831/>