Resources
Authors & Affiliations
Erika Chovanec, Karl Garnitschnig
Abstract
This presentation introduces a novel interdisciplinary intervention approach, emphasizing recently identified spontaneous human movements termed unfolding phenomena. These movements, observed during altered states of consciousness, particularly in medical hypnotherapy, offer a unique opportunity for a novel intervention paradigm. Incorporating insights from Rossi's neurogenesis facilitation hypothesis during hypnotherapy (2002), West-Eberhard's condition-sensitive regulatory mechanisms within the framework of developmental plasticity (2003), Garnitschnig's theory of psychic operations (1998), and Chovanec's motivation research (2005), this presentation explains a new intervention approach and its functionality through a Model of Phenotypic Organization. This model, based on results from eight years of observations during medical hypnotherapy, encompasses both micro and macro structures. The macro-structure of this model categorizes the unfolding process of spontaneous movement into five phases: simplicity, diversification, unification, novelty, and wholeness as adaptation needs. These phases build sets that encompass subunits, representing unfolding movements and mental images associated with unfolding phenomena across various organizational levels. Rooted in phylogeny, these patterns possess the remarkable ability, in contrast to fixed action patterns, to swiftly transform through the five phases into individual novelties and shed light on adaptation and phenotypic reorganization. Furthermore, it elucidates the micro-structure of the model, unveiling unfolding schemas and instruments to explain how individuals' nervous systems autonomously regulate themselves through self-initiated movement stimuli. In conclusion, this presentation posits that unexpressed movements may underlie psychiatric and neurological diagnoses, potentially leading to individualized pathologies. The innovative interdisciplinary approach is applicable in medical hypnotherapy, psychotherapy, neurology, neuroscience, and developmental plasticity through integrative research.