Predicting Hypnotic Susceptibility via a Self-Report Instrument: A Replication

Abstract

In a previous study, a self-report instrument, the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory (PCI), generated a validity coefficient of .62 by correlating the Harvard Scale scores obtained during hypnosis and predicted Harvard scores based on a regression equation using the inventory's (sub)dimensions. In an attempt to replicate the previous results, 434 subjects were given the Harvard Scale and the self-report inventory in reference to a baseline condition and a hypnotic induction. A validity (correlation) coefficient of .65 (n = 190) was obtained between the actual Harvard scores of the earlier study and the predicted Harvard scores (using the regression coefficients of the present study). A validity coefficient of .57 (n = 342) was obtained between the actual Harvard scores of the present study and the predicted Harvard scores (using the coefficients of the previous study). Further research using the PCI to predict susceptibility is warranted.