Modifying hypnotizability with the Carleton Skills Training program: a partial replication and analysis of components

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Hypnosis Research

Background:

• Hypnotizability is a trait influencing an individual's response to hypnosis.
• The Carleton Skills Training (CST) program aims to enhance hypnotizability.
• Understanding the efficacy of different training components is crucial for optimizing hypnosis interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of the Carleton Skills Training (CST) program in low-hypnotizable individuals.
• To determine the impact of different training component sequences on hypnotizability.
• To differentiate between objective behavioral changes and subjective hypnotic experiences.

Main Methods:

• Twelve low-hypnotizable participants were administered the CST program's three components: information, modeling, and instructions.
• Components were delivered in one of three distinct sequences.
• Hypnotizability was measured objectively and subjectively before, after each component, and post-training.

Main Results:

• Objective hypnotizability scores showed significant improvement from screening to post-training assessment.
• Subjective reports of hypnotic experience did not significantly change, indicating a dissociation between behavior and subjective feeling.
• The 'instructions' component was identified as the key element driving changes, regardless of its position in the training sequence.

Conclusions:

• The CST program can enhance objective measures of hypnotizability, suggesting improved behavioral compliance.
• The training may not effectively induce the subjective experiences typically associated with hypnosis.
• The 'instructions' component is essential for any observed gains in hypnotizability within the CST framework.