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

Abstract

Abstract German norms for the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A) of Shor and E. Orne (1962) are presented. 3 samples (N = 108, N = 103, and N = 163) were pooled resulting in an aggregate sample of 374 Ss which was in general congruent with earlier normative studies (Laurence & Perry, 1982; Sheehan & McConkey, 1979; Shor & E. Orne, 1963) with regard to score distribution and item difficulty level. Reliability of the German adaptation of HGSHS:A was somewhat lower than the reliabilities reported by the 3 cited studies, but in terms of standard error of measurement (estimated for each study by using the corresponding reliability coefficient), the German and the other studies were quite comparable. Results show that HGSHS:A is a useful instrument for initial screening of hypnotizability in a German context.