Exploring Links Between ACT Scores, STEM Field Preferences, Academic Grades, and Hypnotizability.

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• The relationship between intelligence and hypnotizability has been debated for decades.
• Previous research yields mixed results, questioning the link between cognitive ability and hypnotic responsiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between American College Testing (ACT) scores, academic performance (GPA), STEM field selection, and hypnotizability in undergraduate students.
• To determine if ACT scores predict hypnotizability independently of expectancy.

Main Methods:

• Administered the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A) to 221 undergraduate students.
• Collected data on ACT scores, GPA, and STEM major choice.
• Utilized correlational and regression analyses to examine relationships.

Main Results:

• A significant negative correlation was found between ACT scores and hypnotizability.
• This negative correlation persisted across gender, hypnotizability measures (behavioral/subjective), and HGSHS:A item types.
• ACT scores predicted hypnotizability, even when controlling for expectancy.
• No significant links were found between GPA, STEM major choice, and hypnotizability.

Conclusions:

• Higher cognitive ability, indicated by ACT scores, is associated with lower hypnotic responsiveness.
• ACT scores are a significant predictor of hypnotizability, independent of expectancy.
• Academic performance (GPA) and field of study (STEM) do not appear to be associated with hypnotizability.