Laterality of hypnotic response

In an investigation of hemispheric activity during hypnosis, a total of 1269 Ss received hypnotizability scales containing suggestions targeting the left or right side of the body. There were no consistent differences in response strength on the left compared to the right side. Nor were there differences in hypnotizability between right- and left-handed (and ambidextrous) Ss, or between Ss who sat on the left versus right side of the testing room. Definitive evidence of lateralized cerebral activity associated with hypnosis and hypnotizability can only come from direct neuropsychological, electrocortical, or brain-imaging investigations.