William C. Coe

HYPNOSIS FROM THE STANDPOINT OF A CONTEXTUALIST

We set out to formulate a theory that makes counterexpectational conduct expectational. Our contextualist position has led us to the dramaturgical perspective. This perspective guided our examination of the hypnotic performance, and we noted that both the hypnotist and the subject are actors, both enmeshed in a dramatic plot, both striving to enhance their credibility. The dramatistic concepts of actor and spectator helped us make sense of the contradictory self-reports in Hilgards analgesia studies. We underscore the proposition (long overlooked) that the counterfactual statements in the hypnotists induction are cues to the subject that a dramatistic plot is in the making. The subject may respond to the cues as an invitation to join in the miniature drama. If he accepts the invitation, he will employ whatever skills he possesses in order to enhance his credibility in enacting the role of hypnotized person. This proposition emphasizes the need for analyzing the implied social communications contained in any interaction.

Hypnosis and the enhancement of visual imagery

Abstract The enhancing effect of hypnosis on the vividness and the control of imagery was investigated. In 1 experiment, Ss who volunteered to be hypnotized were administered 2 measures of imagery, 1 under hypnotic conditions and 1 under imagination instructions while waking (counter-balanced). In another experiment, the imagery of 2 independent samples of Ss (waking or hypnotized) who volunteered for an imagery experiment was evaluated. Of the samples, hypnosis enhanced the vividness and control of imagery in only 1 – the sample with Ss who volunteered for hypnosis and were first administered a test of imagination while awake. Between the 2 independent samples, control of imagery was reduced in the hypnotized sample. There were no differences in the findings on vividness and control of imagery across high, medium, and low susceptible Ss. Combining all Ss, the correlation between vividness of visual imagery and hypnotic responsiveness was significant for males (r = .52) and the total sample (r = .33) but ...

Volitional experiences associated with breaching posthypnotic amnesia.

Highly responsive hypnotic subjects classified as having control over remembering (voluntaries) or not having control over remembering (involuntaries) during posthypnotic amnesia were compared during posthypnotic recall. Subjects rerated their voluntariness after the experiment. Two contextual conditions were employed (2 X 2 design): a lie detector condition meant to create pressure to breach amnesia and a relax control condition. In contrast to earlier findings, the recall data showed that both voluntary and involuntary subjects breached under the lie detector condition compared with their counterparts in the relax condition; however, the degree of breaching was not great in any condition. The results are discussed as they relate to studies attempting to breach posthypnotic amnesia and characteristics of the voluntary-involuntary dimension.

An approach toward isolating factors that influence antisocial conduct in hypnosis

Abstract An attempt was made to develop a design to test the influences of three factors on antisocial conduct: the personal relationship with a hypnotist, the Ss knowledge that the antisocial act is associated with an experiment, and hypnosis by itself. Four experimental conditions were employed to separate the influence of each factor. The antisocial act was to assist a graduate psychology student in “stealing” a comprehensive graduate examination. The design and procedures were only partially successful in creating the conditions necessary to test the relative influence of the above three factors. The results are discussed in relation to how procedural and methodological problems may be overcome in future studies of this sort. Within the limits of the study, the notion that a personal relationship by itself may be sufficient to induce Ss cooperation was supported. However, the experimental manipulations were unsuccessful in completely eliminating the confounding of the knowledge of an experiment from...

Imaginative Skill, Suggestions and Wording of Hypnotic Susceptibility

Abstract 3 groups of 20 Ss based on preselected imaginative capacity were administered either a hypnotic susceptibility scale containing item wording that suggested a goal-directed fantasy or one that did not. Preselected imaginative ability did not predict hypnotic susceptibility or the production of goal-directed fantasies during hypnosis. However, Ss who received the hypnotic scale containing item wording that suggested goal-directed fantasies reported more goal-direded fantasies than Ss who received the other scale. Limitations of the study are discussed and the causal role of goal-directed fantasy in hypnotic responsiveness is questioned.

Retrieval inhibition in directed forgetting and posthypnotic amnesia

In Experiment 1, subjects received either by word or by list directed forgetting or posthypnotic amnesia instructions. Recall and recognition performance of subjects who received directed forgetting instructions was consistent with previous findings reported by Basden, Basden, and Gargano (1993), with subjects who received by word instructions showing both recall and recognition deficits for to-be-forgotten items. By contrast, subjects who were given by list instructions showed recall but no recognition deficits, which suggests that although differential encoding underlies word method directed forgetting, retrieval inhibition underlies list method directed forgetting. Subjects who received posthypnotic amnesia instructions (irrespective of method of delivery used) showed recall deficits but no recognition deficits, which suggests that retrieval inhibition underlies posthypnotic amnesia. In Experiment 2, recognition scores were lower with public (oral) tests than with private (written) tests, and recovery was equivalent for to-be-forgotten and to-be-remembered items. The results are interpreted as inconsistent with the differential tagging mechanisms proposed by Huesmann, Gruder, and Dorst (1987).

Goal-directed fantasy in hypnotic responsiveness: skill, item wording, or both?

Abstract The relationship between goal-directed fantasy (GDF) and responsiveness to hypnotic items that have been historically associated with “deep” hypnosis, like hallucinations, was investigated. The degree to which the item suggestions contain material that would lead S to a GDF was also investigated as it relates to passing the item. The results supported the notion that GDF is positively related to passing these sorts of hypnotic items, and the more the item content suggests a task-relevant fantasy, the more likely it is that S will report a GDF and pass the item. The results raise interesting questions about the role of item wording in hypnotic responsiveness. However, alternative interpretations of the data are raised, and possibilities for further research are suggested.

Hypnosis: Wherefore Art Thou?

The present paper focuses on the influences of social-political needs of various groups with interests in hypnosis (i.e., stage hypnotists, lay hypnotists, licensed practitioners, and researchers). While hypnosis is a specific topic of interest to groups with varying needs, it also serves as an example for other topics in psychology that may overlap the needs of other groups--especially practitioners and researchers. The identity given to hypnosis varies depending upon which particular group of persons is offering the identity, and the nature of the identity reflects each groups biases and needs. These various identities, however, are not always acceptable, in part or in whole, by the other groups, as the needs of one or more may be in conflict with those of others.

Physiological responsiveness during hypnosis.

4 physiological measures--electromyogram, respiration rate, heart rate, and skin conductance--were recorded for 11 high and 11 low hypnotizable Ss. It was hypothesized (a) that physiological responsiveness during hypnosis would vary depending on the nature of the task instructions, and (b) that high hypnotizable Ss would show more physiological responsiveness than low hypnotizable Ss. The first hypothesis was substantiated across all 4 measures. Only heart rate levels supported the second hypothesis. The results are discussed as they relate to the 2 hypotheses and to future research.

An Empirical Evaluation of the Neurolinguistic Programming Model

Abstract The neurolinguistie programming hypothesis that most people have a prefcrred way of dealing with the world - a primary representational system - was tested. 50 Ss were evaluated for sensory modality preference in 3 ways: (a) they chose among written descriptions using either visual, auditory, or kinesthetic wording (preference); (b) their eye movements were recorded during an interview; and (c) their verbal responses were scored for sensory predicates. The results did not support neurolinguistic programming theory in that preference of 1 modality on 1 measure did not relate to the same modality on the other measures as would be expected if primary representational systems were characteristic of the sample. Other studies have shown mixed results. The conclusion seems warranted that a good deal more empirical support is needed before the positive therapeutic claims of neurolinguistic programming proponents can be taken seriously.