About the Book
This book provides a comprehensive overview of the use of hypnosis in the forensic setting, enriched by detailed clinical case material. Arguing that the existing psychological and legal literature fails to address many of the "grey areas" for practitioners of hypnosis with witnesses and victims of crime, the authors aim to illuminate the full complexity of the ethical, legal, and professional issues involved. They offer detailed procedural guidelines ? highlighting issues such as recovered memories, faking, and the rights of hypnosis subjects ? to help practitioners cope with the demands of criminal and legal investigations and to ensure the welfare and well?being of subjects.
Table of Contents:
Using Hypnosis in the Forensic Setting. Revelations and Practices in Hypnosis. Suggested Guidelines for Practice. Motivation and Manipulation in Hypnosis. Damage and Dreams in Hypnosis. Stress and Faking in Hypnosis. The Ethics of Hypnosis in the Forensic Setting. A Case Perspective on Hypnosis in the Forensic Setting. A Laboratory View of Issues in Forensic Hypnosis. Conclusions and Reflections.
About the Author :
Kevin M. McConkey is Professor of Psychology and Head, School of Psychology, University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. A graduate of the University of Queensland, he has held academic positions in Australia, Canada, and the United States. Professor McConkey is a Fellow and has served as President of the Australian Psychological Society. Peter W. Sheehan is Professor of Psychology and Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Postgraduate Studies), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia. A graduate of the University of Sydney, he has held academic positions in Australia and the United States. Professor Sheehan is an Honorary Fellow and has served as President of the Australian Psychological Society; he is a Fellow and has served as President of the Academy of the Social Sciences in Australia; and he has received the Order of Australia for services to education, research, and psychology.
Review :
.."..A welcome and valuable addition to forensic hypnosis...." --Mary Jo Peebles-Kleiger, Ph.D. in Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic "The chapter on suggested guidelines for the practice of forensic hypnosis is crucial to the development of professional standards for this specialty. This is a book both informative and prescriptive.." --Jo-Ann M. Giordano, Ph.D., Readings
"This is an excellent volume where authors combine the richness of a case study with laboratory research findings in a useful and interesting way." --Alexander E. Obolsky, M.D. (Northwestern University Medical School)
"Two centuries after a French Commission warned that mesmerism was a threat to morals, hypnosis remains surrounded by legal issues: Can it compel antisocial and self-injurious behavior? Can it refresh the memories of victims, witnesses, suspects, and perpetrators? McConkey and Sheehan, two of the world's foremost authorities on hypnosis, provide a definitive analysis of the forensic issues in light of current research and theory. While their emphasis is on the Australian experience, their conclusions are equally applicable to North America and Europe -- indeed wherever hypnosis is practiced. Everyone interested in forensic hypnosis will profit from this book." --John F. Kihlstrom, Professor, Yale University
"A lively and thoughtful book, presenting essential advice for therapists involved in legal investigations.The cases are fascinating and cover a wide range--from gang rapes to police killings to incest. Offering strategies for dealing with the complexities of using hypnosis in court settings, the authors rightly note that although therapy sessions in general can sometimes move forward on the basis of reconstructions of events that simply aren't true, legal proceedings cannot do so. Of great import are the authors' useful guidelines for maintaining a balance between probing for possible memories and creating false memories through suggestion when using hypnosis in therapy." --Elizabeth F. Loftus, Ph.D., University of Washington, Co-author of The Myth of Repressed Memory
"This book is highly recommended to all persons who are interested in or practice forensic hypnosis. The book offers a wealth of information....It draws to the attention of readers the many complex issues involved. Professional and ethical issues are discussed in detail and guidelines are offered which will be of great assistance to practitioners. The book gives a fascinating account of the practical aspects of forensic hypnosis by presenting detailed and thoughtful accounts of individual cases." --Gisli H. Gudjonsson, Ph.D., Reader in Forensic Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London
"[The authors] illustrate the complexities involved and provide thoughtful and well-reasoned guidelines for the forensic use of hypnosis. They present detailed and thoughtful accounts of individual cases....Although the cases are from Australia and New Zealand, they are of interest worldwide, for they exemplify the prevailing issues that confront all practitioners of forensic hypnosis....A major contribution to the literature. It is written for a broad professional audience." --Ralph Slovenko, JD, PhD, American Journal of Psychotherapy
.,.".A welcome and valuable addition to forensic hypnosis...." --Mary Jo Peebles-Kleiger, Ph.D. in "Bulletin of the Menninger Clinic"
"The chapter on suggested guidelines for the practice of forensic hypnosis is crucial to the development of professional standards for this specialty. This is a book both informative and prescriptive.." --Jo-Ann M. Giordano, Ph.D., "Readings"
"This is an excellent volume where authors combine the richness of a case study with laboratory research findings in a useful and interesting way." --Alexander E. Obolsky, M.D. (Northwestern University Medical School)
"Two centuries after a French Commission warned that mesmerism was a threat to morals, hypnosis remains surrounded by legal issues: Can it compel antisocial and self-injurious behavior? Can it refresh the memories of victims, witnesses, suspects, and perpetrators? McConkey and Sheehan, two of the world's foremost authorities on hypnosis, provide a definitive analysis of the forensic issues in light of current research and theory. While their emphasis is on the Australian experience, their conclusions are equally applicable to North America and Europe -- indeed wherever hypnosis is practiced. Everyone interested in forensic hypnosis will profit from this book." --John F. Kihlstrom, Professor, Yale University
"A lively and thoughtful book, presenting essential advice for therapists involved in legal investigations.The cases are fascinating and cover a wide range--from gang rapes to police killings to incest. Offering strategies for dealing with the complexities of using hypnosis in court settings, the authors rightly note that although therapy sessions in general can sometimes move forwardon the basis of reconstructions of events that simply aren't true, legal proceedings cannot do so. Of great import are the authors' useful guidelines for maintaining a balance between probing for possible memories and creating false memories through suggestion when using hypnosis in therapy." --Elizabeth F. Loftus, Ph.D., University of Washington, Co-author of "The Myth of Repressed Memory"
"This book is highly recommended to all persons who are interested in or practice forensic hypnosis. The book offers a wealth of information....It draws to the attention of readers the many complex issues involved. Professional and ethical issues are discussed in detail and guidelines are offered which will be of great assistance to practitioners. The book gives a fascinating account of the practical aspects of forensic hypnosis by presenting detailed and thoughtful accounts of individual cases." --Gisli H. Gudjonsson, Ph.D., Reader in Forensic Psychology, Institute of Psychiatry, University of London
"[The authors] illustrate the complexities involved and provide thoughtful and well-reasoned guidelines for the forensic use of hypnosis. They present detailed and thoughtful accounts of individual cases....Although the cases are from Australia and New Zealand, they are of interest worldwide, for they exemplify the prevailing issues that confront all practitioners of forensic hypnosis....A major contribution to the literature. It is written for a broad professional audience." --Ralph Slovenko, JD, PhD, "American Journal of Psychotherapy"
Named one of the "Best Books of the Year" (1996) by Doody's Rating Service
"Filled with important current research on memory as well as the use of hypnosis for memory enhancement. It provides guidelines for not only the technical employment of hypnosis but also the prehypnotic interview factors that should be considered in contemplating the suitability of a subject for hypnosis....The book should occupy treasured space on any forensic psychiatrist's shelf, particularly those who do hypnosis." --"Bulletin of the American Academy of Psychiatry and Law"
"The appearance of this book alone is a cause for celebration in that it signals the fact that the field of forensic hypnosis is not dead....This book makes at least two major contributions to the existing literature on forensic hypnosis. First, it contains many detailed cases in which the hypnosis was improperly conducted. By describing in depth a series of failures, the authors take the reader through the different dangers in the possible contamination of memory....The second major contribution is [the authors'] articulation of the motives of people who consent to be hypnotized for forensic purposes....McConkey and Sheehan provide detailed guidelines for the conduct of forensic hypnosis sessions." --"Psychiatric Services"
