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Filled versus empty intervals in prospective hypnotic time estimation with a real-simulator design.
C S Dyer1, R M Kurtz, M J Strube
1Department of Psychology, Washington University, Saint Louis, MO 63130, USA.
The American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis
|November 11, 1999
Summary
Hypnosis significantly alters time perception in highly hypnotizable women, causing them to overestimate time. This effect was not observed in men or with different time interval conditions.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience
- Hypnosis Research
Background:
- Interest in hypnotic time perception dates to the 19th century.
- Recent research investigates hypnosis and time estimation under controlled conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the interaction between hypnotizability and altered time perception.
- To test if "filled" time intervals are perceived as longer than "empty" intervals.
Main Methods:
- Sixty-two undergraduates were screened using the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale: Form C.
- Participants verbally estimated time intervals (30, 60, 120 seconds) in waking and hypnotic states.
- A 2-way interaction between Group (high, low, simulator) and Condition (waking, hypnotized) was predicted.
Main Results:
- A significant 2-way interaction was found for women only.
- Highly hypnotizable women overestimated time more in hypnosis than when awake.
- Men did not show this overestimation effect; "filled" vs. "empty" intervals showed no difference.
Conclusions:
- Hypnotizability influences time perception differently in women compared to men.
- Hypnosis can significantly alter time estimation in susceptible individuals.
- The "filled" vs. "empty" interval hypothesis was not supported.