Abstract
AbstractThe ‘hidden observer’ experiment by Green, Page, Handley and Rasekhy is criticized on methodological grounds, especially the inadequate screening of subjects and departure from the canonical principles of both Hilgard's ‘hidden observer’ technique and Orne's real‐simulator design. We also highlight some results of the experiment which appear to undercut the investigators' conclusions – especially the fact that reals and simulators differed markedly in their response to the critical Less Aware instruction. Our principal criticism, however, is conceptual: it is the very nature of hypnosis that the hypnotic subject's behaviours and experiences will be influenced by the wording of suggestions and subjects' interpretations of them. Accordingly, evidence that covert reports are influenced by the wording of suggestions is not evidence that the hidden observer is a methodological artifact, or that it is not a reflection of divided consciousness. Copyright © 2005 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
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.
