Ernest Kramer

Hypnotic susceptibility as a function of the prestige of the hypnotist

Abstract 40 undergraduates were administered the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A of Shor and Orne (1962) by their instructor. On the basis of the hypnotic susceptibility scores, the sample was divided into 20 “better” and 20 “poorer” Ss. A week later Ss were re-hypnotized by a tape-recording of the above induction procedure. On the second induction, half of the Ss (10 better and 10 poorer) were told that the hypnotist on the tape was an expert; the other half were told the hypnotist was a novice. The results indicated that only the better Ss given novice instructions showed a change (decrement) in hypnotic susceptibility.

A Contribution toward the Validation of the FIRO-B Questionnaire

Abstract The FIRO-B Questionnaire is a pencil and paper test designed to measure expressed and wanted aspects of the dimensions of inclusion, control, and affection. 25 Ss took the test and also rated themselves on these dimensions. Rank order correlations were calculated between the six FIRO-B scores and the corresponding self-ratings. Five of the six resulting coefficients were significant at or beyond the .05 level. The results were discussed in terms of problems of construct validity and were viewed as contributing toward the validation of the FIRO-B.

Hypnotically suggested deafness and delayed auditory feedback

Abstract A pilot study investigated hypnotically induced deafness using delayed auditory feedback. The following tentative conclusions are offered: (a) Instructions to pretend deafness did decrease the number of speech errors produced in the delayed auditory feedback situation with some Ss, although the results were by no means those of complete deafness, (b) Hypnotically induced deafness also produced a reduction in the number of errors caused by DAF, though here, too, the results did not approach those of complete deafness, (c) Additional training or experience in hypnosis seemed to produce an increased ability of hypnotically suggested deafness to reduce speech errors under these conditions.

A comparative need analysis of immediately-recalled dreams and TAT responses.

Abstract Thirteen Ss were each administered six TAT pictures in the usual manner. Approximately one week later, each S spent one night in an EEG lab especially equipped for dream collection. Shortly after various physiological measures indicated that the S was dreaming, he was awakened and asked to report the dream. Both dreams and TAT responses were scored by a form of Murrays need-press system. The evidence suggests that the dreams and TAT tended to show some of the same needs for each S, but that other needs were expressed in only one of the two forms. Affiliation and play were positively correlated in their appearance in both dreams and TAT; dominance showed a negative correlation (all signigicant at or beyond .05).

A normative study of an auditory projective technique.

Abstract The purpose of this study is to provide normative data for the sound effect sequences of the Braverman-Chevigny Auditory Projective Test. The test was administered to 149 college undergraduates in a group setting, who were asked to compose stories to the seven sound sequences. Stories were coded in terms of tone, outcome, number of characters, theme, and identification of “hero.” The stories were predominantly negative in tone, with outcomes generally neutral or unsuccessful. Interscorer reliabilities were all significant beyond the .001 level.

The Eysenck Personality Inventory and Self-Ratings of Extraversion

Summary The dimension of “extraversion”, as measured by the Eysenck Personality Inventory (EPI) is examined in terms of its construct validity and the compatibility of its label with the popular use of the term “extraversion”; 242 naive 5s rated themselves for (1) how extraverted they felt they really were. (2) how extraverted they felt they appeared to others, and (3) the ideal amount of extraversion one should have; they then took the EPI. Ratings 1 and 2 correlated .46 and .48 with EPI extraversion scores, significant at the .001 level. This is seen as contributing to the construct validity, as well as justifying the labeling of the EPI dimension. An attempt to relate the EPI lie score to discrepancies between self and ideal ratings was unsuccessful.

The Fables Test

Summary Duess originally published her Fables Test in 1940, in a paper on the fables technique in psychoanalysis. The fate of the Fables in passing from the original French into English is explored here, and a new English version is given. The research literature on the test is reviewed, and a brief note is presented on the clinical usefulness of the Fables.

Literature as a Projection of the Author's Personality

Summary N Achievement, n Affiliation, and Mean Sentence Length were studied in the TAT protocols and the short stories of 10 published authors. Only low correlations and small differences among authors were found. Mean Sentence Length did not discriminate among authors. It did show differences between TAT and short stories, suggesting that the planned control which goes into story writing is an important aspect of how an author writes. Results are discussed in terms of the Zeitgeist, the collective personality of society, as well as the individual personality of the author.