Abstract
The study of changes in ERPs provoked by negative hypnotic hallucinations has thus far yielded contradictory results. Most previous studies have failed to separate specific changes in the processing of the hallucinated stimuli from non-specific changes in arousal due to hypnosis. The present study addresses this issue with the combination of two experimental effects in the task designed to test the hallucination: the noise-compatibility effect and the Simon effect. A choice reaction task was used in which targets appearing at either side of a screen were defined by color and were accompanied by irrelevant noise, and a negative hallucination suggestion was given for noise stimuli. Four highly hypnotizable subjects performed the task on two separate occasions, with and without the suggestion. Increases in reaction times and P300 latencies were found as a function of noise and spatial stimulus–response (SR) incompatibility (Simon effect). Suggestion decreased the response times for all types of trials non-significantly, and it decreased significantly those of left-hand responses. On the other hand, suggestion reduced the increase in P300 latencies in noise-incompatible trials, but did not influence the Simon effect. This result indicates a specific effect of suggestion in the processing of hallucinated stimuli, which is consistent with the hallucinatory experience reported by the subjects.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
