The effects of absorption and reduced critical thought on suggestibility in an hypnotic context

Abstract

AbstractThe suggestibility‐enhancing effects of hypnosis are widely accepted, although poorly understood. In the present study, an attempt was made to address the effect of absorption and reduced critical thought on suggestibility change occurring in the hypnotic context. Study participants were presented with a waking suggestibility assessment followed by an induction consisting of instructions for progressive relaxation and a manipulation designed to establish an hypnotic context and an expectation for increased suggestibility. They were then presented with either further relaxation instructions, instructions to become absorbed or instructions to reduce critical thought, followed by a second suggestibility assessment. Groups were compared on objective and subjective suggestibility score change, controlling for suggestibility on the first test. Results indicate that the addition of instructions for absorption or reduced critical thought to relaxation procedures created a significantly larger suggestibility increase than instructions for relaxation alone. Moreover, instructions for relaxation alone were insufficient to produce an increase in suggestibility, despite the presence of an hypnotic context and positive expectations. These findings cast doubt on the notion that only non‐state factors are responsible for suggestibility increases observed in the hypnotic context, and raise the possibility that absorption and reduced critical thought are important components of hypnosis. Copyright © 2001 British Society of Experimental and Clinical Hypnosis