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Method for Simultaneous fMRI/EEG Data Collection during a Focused Attention Suggestion for Differential Thermal Sensation
Published on: January 5, 2014
Dissociative tendencies and individual differences in high hypnotic suggestibility.
Devin Blair Terhune1, Etzel Cardeña, Magnus Lindgren
1Department of Psychology, Lund University, Lund, Sweden. devin.terhune@psychology.lu.se
Highly suggestible individuals may have distinct subtypes. One subtype shows dissociative traits, executive dysfunction, and psychopathology, while another has superior imagery without deficits.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Neuroscience
Background:
- The relationship between dissociation and hypnosis is inconsistent.
- This may stem from distinct subtypes within highly suggestible individuals.
- These subtypes are relevant to psychopathology and trauma.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate differences between highly suggestible subtypes based on dissociation levels.
- To examine hypnotic responding, cognitive function, and psychopathology in these subtypes.
Main Methods:
- Compared low suggestible (LS), low dissociative highly suggestible (LDHS), and high dissociative highly suggestible (HDHS) participants.
- Administered hypnotic suggestibility scales.
- Assessed free recall, working memory, imagery, fantasy-proneness, psychopathology, and stressful life events.
Main Results:
- HDHS participants showed greater responsiveness to hallucinations, involuntariness, impaired working memory, pathological fantasy, dissociative symptoms, and more stressful life events.
- LDHS participants demonstrated superior object visual imagery.
Conclusions:
- Evidence supports two highly suggestible subtypes: a dissociative subtype with executive deficits and psychopathology risk.
- A second subtype exhibits superior imagery and no functional deficits.
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