Jean-Roch Laurence

Multiple predictors of hypnotic susceptibility.

In this article, we report two experiments in which various measures thought to be related to hypnotizability were analyzed by stepwise discriminant analysis techniques. Absorption (Tellegen, 1981, 1982; Tellegen & Atkinson, 1974) and preference for an imagic style of thinking (Isaacs, 1982) were robust predictors of hypnotizability; each variable accounted for significant variance in hypnotizability at their respective steps in two samples and correctly classified a significant proportion of low- and high-hypnotizable subjects in the discriminant analyses. The addition of two other variables in Experiment 2--a Sleep-Dream score derived from Evanss (1977) Cognitive Control of Sleep Mentation subscale and Gibsons (1985) Dream Questionnaire, and the Belief in the Supernatural subscale of the Taft (1969) Experience Questionnaire--increased the correct classification of the medium-hypnotizable subjects from chance levels to 74%. It is argued that a confirmatory and hierarchical approach is needed in future studies to explore correlates of hypnotizability more fully.

Hypnotic susceptibility and verbal automaticity : automatic and strategic processing differences in the stroop color-naming task

The original hypothesis of Dixon, Brunet, and Laurence (1990) that highly hypnotizable (HH) subjects process words more automatically than do low hypnotizable (LH) subjects was retested in a paradigm that separated strategic from automatic processes in the Stroop color-naming task. The words red and blue preceded a color patch that was red or blue. Subjects were told that the word predicted the opposite color 75% of the time. Automatic and strategic processes were assessed by varying the interstimulus interval (ISI) between the word and the color patch. Both HH and LH subjects showed significant strategic effects (faster incongruent-trial, color-naming reaction times than congruent-trial reaction times at ISIs over 400 ms), but only HH subjects showed significant automaticity (significantly faster congruent-trial reaction times than incongruent-trial reaction times at 16.7 ms, the lowest ISI).

Hypnotic depth and hypnotic susceptibility: a replicated finding.

Abstract A sample of 398 Ss was tested in groups of from 8 to 20 people on the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A) of Shor and E. Orne (1962). Retrospective depth reports for each of the 12 HGSHS:A items were taken in order to extend Tarts findings (1970, 1972) on susceptibility and depth. The Ss were tested over 2 successive years in samples of N = 220 and N = 178. Since results were almost identical for each year (thus constituting a replication), the data were pooled for this report. A remarkable consistency in patterns of subjective depth across the 12 items of HGSHS:A was found, particularly noticeable in Items 7, 8, 9, and 10 for 4 susceptibility groups (high, high-medium, low-medium and low-susceptible Ss) which appeared to reflect differential item difficulties. In addition, all correlations between reported depth and HGSHS:A total scores were high and statistically significant. While the findings are in general accord with those of Tart (1970, 1972), further research...

Montréal norms for the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A.

Abstract Norms are presented for the Harvard Croup Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A) of Shor and E. Orne (1962). Comparisons are made on HGSHS:A between 3 Montreal samples (N = 220, N = 178, & N = 137) and the aggregate sample (N = 535). These are compared additionally with a normative group of Harvard students (Shor & E. Orne, 1963), a normative group of University of California at Berkeley students (Coe, 1964), a normative sample of Australian students (Sheehan & McConkey, 1979), and the original Stanford University normative sample which was tested individually on the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form A (Weitzenhoffer & Hilgard, 1959). Although the Montreal groups were heterogeneous in ethnic origin and first language, the present normative data are generally congruent with earlier studies.

Reports of hypnotic depth: are they more than mere words?

Abstract The empirical work relating hypnotizability, the hypnotic situation, and the reports of hypnotic depth is reviewed and evaluated. Asking Ss to assess their hypnotic depth is a complex task involving the interaction of experiential, cognitive, and contextual variables. Accordingly, future experimental work should take into account this multidimensionality; phenomenological, situational, cognitive, and motivational factors implicated in verbal reports should be explored in terms of their respective relationships with both hypnotizability and self-ratings of hypnotic depth. More sophistication in the experimental inquiries of hypnotic depth is required in order to fiirther our understanding of the cognitive and affective structures underlying the hypnotic experience.

A multivariate approach to the prediction of hypnotic susceptibility

The present study examined the relation between various self-report measures and two measures of hypnotizability within a multivariate framework. A group of 748 participants was tested on the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A), the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS), as well as the Preference for an Imagic Cognitive Style (PICS) questionnaire. One hundred ninety of these participants also completed the Paranormal Experiences Questionnaire (PEQ). Data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression equations, and the results of the analyses indicated that both the TAS and PICS accounted for significant amounts of unique variance in each of two 373-member samples of HGSHS:A scores. A further sub-sample of participants (n = 161) was tested on the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C) to see if these results would generalize to another measure of hypnotizability. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that although the PEQ predicted significant amounts of unique SHSS:C variance over and above that predicted by the TAS, the PICS failed to do so. This inconsistency in results may be due in part to the generally low intercorrelation between the different hypnotizability scales and points to the need to develop new predictor variables that are orthogonal to each other.

Hypnosis, suggestion, and suggestibility: an integrative model.

This article elucidates an integrative model of hypnosis that integrates social, cultural, cognitive, and neurophysiological variables at play both in and out of hypnosis and considers their dynamic interaction as determinants of the multifaceted experience of hypnosis. The roles of these variables are examined in the induction and suggestion stages of hypnosis, including how they are related to the experience of involuntariness, one of the hallmarks of hypnosis. It is suggested that studies of the modification of hypnotic suggestibility; cognitive flexibility; response sets and expectancies; the default-mode network; and the search for the neurophysiological correlates of hypnosis, more broadly, in conjunction with research on social psychological variables, hold much promise to further understanding of hypnosis.

Duality, Dissociation, and Memory Creation in Highly Hypnotizable Subjects

Abstract The present paper reports an initial attempt to create a pseudomemory in a group of highly hypnotizable individuals. It was found that for approximately 50% of Ss tested, recall of a specific event was modified when Ss integrated hypnotically suggested inaterial which then posthypnotically was believed to be veridical. This modification in a previously reported memory was linked to a particular cognitive style found in high hypnotizalde Ss, namely dual cognitive functioning. Ss reporting duality in hypnotic age regression, and, to a lesser extent, the hidden observer effect, were found to be the most prone to accept a suggested memory as real. These findings suggest the need to emphasize the importance of a cognitive-phenomenological approach to hypnosis and hypnotizability.

Idiographic Approaches to Hypnosis Research (Or How Therapeutic Practice Can Inform Science)

We argue that both nomothetic and idiographic research strategies can advance scientific knowledge of therapeutic hypnosis. In particular, practitioners can make idiographic contributions to the scientific literature in a manner that will be received positively by a growing number of behavioral scientists. Broad methodological issues and concerns specific to hypnosis research are discussed.

Forensic hypnosis in the late nineteenth century.

Abstract In recent years, hypnosis has been used increasingly as an investigative tool by North American police forces. The questions and problems raised by this recent application of hypnosis have historical precedents. In the latter part of the 19th century, medical jurists and researchers, particularly in France, were confronted with many of the same issues. The present paper reviews certain positions, taken by experts in hypnosis of this epoch, as well as some of the trials in which hypnosis was involved. Major consideration is given to 19th-century beliefs about the coercive power of hypnosis, and to what investigators of this period thought on the issues of hypermnesia, confabulation, and the creation of a pseudomemory in hypnosis. Although not exhaustive, this initial report indicates that our predecessors were well aware of the intricacies posed by the application of hypnosis to the investigative situation. It is of interest to find that 19th-century legislation regulating the use of hypnosis was ...