Response expectancies and interpretations as determinants of hypnotic responding

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Cognitive Science
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Response-expectancy theory posits that expectations influence hypnotic susceptibility.
• Previous research has primarily focused on the direct relationship between pre-hypnotic expectations and hypnotizability.
• The role of active versus passive interpretation of suggestions post-induction requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the predictive power of active interpretation of hypnotic suggestions on hypnotizability.
• To investigate whether active interpretation influences hypnotic response independently of post-induction expectations.
• To explore the nature of the relationship between expectation and hypnotizability.

Main Methods:

• Participants rated their expected response to suggestions before and after a hypnotic induction.
• Post-induction, participants rated their planned active and passive responses to suggestions.
• Behavioral and subjective hypnotizability measures were assessed.

Main Results:

• Active interpretation of suggestions significantly predicted hypnotizability, even after controlling for post-induction expectations.
• Active interpretation was particularly influential for suggestions with weak or uncertain initial expectations.
• The relationship between expectation and hypnotizability was non-linear, exhibiting a fan-shaped pattern.

Conclusions:

• Active interpretation, not just passive expectation, is a crucial factor in hypnotic susceptibility.
• Hypnotizability is influenced by how individuals actively engage with suggestions, especially when expectations are ambiguous.
• Findings challenge strong versions of response-expectancy theory and highlight the dynamic interplay of cognitive factors in hypnosis.