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Modifying hypnotic suggestibility with the Carleton Skills Training program
B L Bates1, R J Miller, H J Cross
1Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman 99164-4830.
Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
|July 1, 1988
Summary
The Carleton Skills Training (CST) program effectively increases hypnotic responsiveness. However, these gains were modest and not maintained over time, with demand characteristics potentially influencing results.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Cognitive Science
Background:
- The Carleton Skills Training (CST) program has shown promise in enhancing hypnotic responsiveness.
- Replication of training effects in different settings is crucial for validating interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To replicate the CST program's effectiveness in increasing hypnotic responsiveness at a new laboratory.
- To assess the impact of demand characteristics on suggestibility changes.
- To determine the long-term maintenance of hypnotic responsiveness gains.
Main Methods:
- Participants were assigned to a replication group, an experimental group, or a control group.
- The CST program was administered to trained groups, with variations in perceived experimental continuity.
- Hypnotic responsiveness was assessed at multiple time points, including a 4-month follow-up.
Main Results:
- The CST program successfully increased hypnotic responsiveness.
- Suggestibility gains were modest and varied between groups.
- Demand characteristics appeared to influence the magnitude of suggestibility gains.
- Initial gains in hypnotic responsiveness were not sustained at the 4-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- The CST program is effective in the short term for enhancing hypnotic responsiveness.
- The influence of demand characteristics on suggestibility requires further investigation.
- Long-term maintenance of training-induced hypnotic responsiveness is limited.