Hypnotizability and absorption in a Danish sample: testing the influence of context

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Clinical Psychology
• Psychometrics

Background:

• Absorption is a personality trait related to the capacity for focused attention and immersion in experiences.
• Hypnotizability refers to an individual's responsiveness to hypnotic suggestion.
• The Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS) measures absorption, while the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility (HGSHS:A) measures hypnotizability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To test the construct validity of a Danish translation of the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS).
• To investigate the correlation between absorption (TAS scores) and hypnotizability (HGSHS:A scores) in a Danish sample.
• To determine if absorption is a significant predictor of hypnotizability.

Main Methods:

• A sample of 168 subjects completed a Danish translation of the TAS and the HGSHS:A.
• Correlations were analyzed for scores obtained in the same session (n=84) and independently across two sessions (n=84).
• Statistical analysis examined the relationship between absorption and hypnotizability scores.

Main Results:

• Mean scores on the TAS and HGSHS:A were comparable to US samples.
• A significant positive correlation was found between absorption and hypnotizability when assessed in the hypnotic context.
• A significant association was also observed when absorption and hypnotizability were assessed independently.

Conclusions:

• The findings support the construct validity of the Danish translation of the TAS.
• Absorption is confirmed as an important predictor of hypnotizability.
• The study reaffirms previous research linking absorption and hypnotic susceptibility.