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Attentional resources in hypnotic responding
I Kirsch1, C A Burgess, W Braffman
1Department of Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06269-1020, USA. irvingk@uconnvm.uconn.edu
The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
|January 5, 2000
Summary
Cognitive load impacts hypnotic responding, requiring attentional effort for memory suppression and recall. Simulators showed less recall and subjective responses under low cognitive load conditions.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience
Background:
- Hypnotic responding theories propose different roles for attentional processes.
- Understanding the influence of cognitive load on hypnotic suggestions is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To test predictions from neodissociation, dissociation control, response set, and ironic process theories.
- To investigate the impact of cognitive load on hypnotic suggestions in high and low suggestible individuals.
Main Methods:
- Administered suggestions with and without cognitive load to high suggestible participants and low suggestible simulators.
- Assessed responses to ideomotor, cognitive, and challenge suggestions, including suggested amnesia.
- Examined the effect of cognitive load on recall and subjective experiences.
Main Results:
- Cognitive load interfered with ideomotor and cognitive suggestions but not challenge suggestions.
- Cognitive load decreased recall on amnesia trials, and even more on preceding and subsequent recall trials.
- Simulators showed less recall and reported lower subjective responses under low cognitive load.
Conclusions:
- Attentional effort is necessary for both memory recall and suppression during hypnosis.
- Cognitive load differentially affects various types of hypnotic suggestions.
- Subjective experiences in hypnosis are modulated by cognitive load and individual suggestibility.