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Posthypnotic suggestion alters conscious color perception in an automatic manner
1School of Humanities and Informatics, University of Skövde, Skövde, Sweden. sakari.kallio@his.se
The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
|August 21, 2013
Summary
Hypnosis can alter color perception, even for automatic processes. A hypnotic suggestion changed how a participant experienced color, demonstrating hypnosis
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Neuroscience
- Psychology
- Hypnosis Research
Background:
- Investigating the influence of hypnosis on perceptual processes.
- Examining the malleability of conscious experience under hypnotic suggestion.
- Understanding the boundaries of automatic cognitive functions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine if posthypnotic suggestion can alter color perception.
- To assess the impact of hypnosis on a highly automatic process.
- To differentiate hypnotic effects from conscious control.
Main Methods:
- A hypnotic virtuoso received a posthypnotic suggestion to perceive a masked visual target as gray.
- Target visibility was manipulated using varying stimulus onset asynchrony (SOA) between target and mask.
- Subjective reports and objective response patterns were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- The participant reported altered color experience at short SOAs under posthypnotic suggestion.
- Objective response patterns under suggestion were unique and not replicable by controls or self-control.
- Color perception remained unaltered without hypnotic suggestion, despite posthypnotic amnesia.
Conclusions:
- Posthypnotic suggestion can modify conscious color experience.
- Hypnosis demonstrates the capacity to influence even highly automatic perceptual processes.
- These findings highlight the profound effects of hypnosis on perception and cognition.
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