Does the Positive Keying of the TAS Inflate the Absorption-Hypnotizability Link?

Abstract

The search for correlates of hypnotic responsiveness has been largely unsuccessful, with the notable exception of the construct "absorption." The Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS) has been shown to correlate with hypnotic responsiveness, particularly if the two measures are administered in the same testing context or setting. The present study set out to determine whether the all-true, positively keyed format of the TAS inflates the absorption-hypnotizability link. With a sample of 466 participants, the authors show that wording the TAS items in either a positive or negative direction does not affect the correlation between the TAS and the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A.