THE ROLE OF SELECTIVE ATTENTION IN HYPNOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY.
Item
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Title
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THE ROLE OF SELECTIVE ATTENTION IN HYPNOTIC SUSCEPTIBILITY: AN EMPIRICAL STUDY.
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Identifier
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AAI8614679
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identifier
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8614679
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Creator
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GOLDBERG, BENJAMIN MARK.
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Contributor
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Howard Ehrlichman
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Date
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1986
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Language
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English
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Publisher
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City University of New York.
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Subject
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Psychology, Personality
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Abstract
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This study tested the hypothesis that in hypnotic situations high as opposed to low susceptible subjects evidence a more pronounced restriction of attention to hypnotic suggestions. Also tested was the hypothesis that high susceptible subjects evidence attentional biases aimed at enhancing the subjective reality of these suggestions. Fifteen high susceptible and 15 low susceptible subjects participated in a hypnotic procedure while ostensibly extraneous phrases emanated from an adjacent cubicle. Hypnotic suggestions coincided with phrases that were consonant, neutral, and dissonant with the theme of each suggestion. In a control condition, high and low susceptible subjects performed nonhypnotic tasks while exposed to the same phrases which were neutral with relation to the theme of each task. Contrary to the present hypothesis, subsequent phrase recognition was equal and poor for all groups. Moreover, all groups showed an identical pattern of differential phrase recognition which consequently precluded thematic value as an organizing factor. The findings suggest that selective attention is not a critical factor underlying hypnotic responsiveness. Alternatives to attentional conceptions of hypnosis are discussed.
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Type
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dissertation
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Source
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PQT Legacy CUNY.xlsx
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degree
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Ph.D.
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Program
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Psychology
