Can Hypnotized Subjects Simulate Waking Behavior?

Abstract

The hypothesis that hypnosis is an altered state of awareness characterized by a lack of spontaneous behavior was tested by determining if hypnotized Ss can simulate waking behavior. If hypnosis represents an altered state of awareness, Ss should not be able to simulate the alert, waking state. Eight somnambulistic Ss were unobtrusively observed while they waited with a waking S for the experimenter to arrive. The observers were able to identify seven of the hypnotized Ss on the basis of their relative lack of spontaneity. This was also true for an independent replication group of five Ss. State theory was supported and it was concluded that more can be learned about an altered state by the attempt of a hypnotized S to simulate the waking state.