Some early-life stimulus correlates of hypnotizability

Abstract

The importance of early life experiences and their effects upon current behavior patterns such as susceptibility to hypnosis has been emphasized (Pascal, 1959; Hilgard, 1965). 34 male college Ss were placed into 3 hypnotizability groupings with the use of the Pascal technique of hypnosis (Pascal & Salzberg, 1959), The Pascal-Jenkins Behavioral Scales (Pascal & Jenkins, 1961) were used to investigate stimulus situations presented by mother and father during the first 10 years of Ss' lives. The specifically defined behavioral variables of Activities with S and Displays of Affection for the father stimulus category and the variable Verbal Punishment for mother significantly differentiated the High Hypnotizable Ss from the combined Middle-Low Hypnotizable Ss. The other physical contact variables, which involve intimate contact between S and the parent, showed consistent trends in the same direction. Thus, early life family experiences of a more positive and less deviant nature seem to be associated with higher susceptibility to hypnosis.