The development of a group alert-trance scale

Abstract

A verbatim alert-trance induction procedure is presented in which suggestions for mind alertness are made concurrently with suggestions for body relaxation. Direct and indirect suggestions of sleep are avoided. A dissociation of mind and body is thus suggested with the stipulation that in doing this S's body will maintain itself within the limits of normal physiological functioning and, in an emergency, will react so as to ensure self-preservation. Emphasis is placed on S's mind being alert so as to engage in any mental work either during or after the hypnotic trance. Data obtained from 150 Ss who responded to a short self-report scale are presented.