A factor-analytic study of hypnotizability and related personal experiences

Abstract

To throw further light on the exclusivity of “primary suggeatibility” as reported by other investigators, a factor Analysis was performed in a sample of 102 female college students on the basia of the intercorrelations of 23 items of personal experiences earlier shown to be related to hypnotizability, and 19 item from two hypnosis scales. No simple factor structure emerged. Two factors were interpreted: the first as a hypnotic factor with special emphasis on the capability to sustain the effect of suggestion over time, and the second as a combination of psychological changeableness and social influencibility. A brief discussion was given of the composite picture of hypnotic susceptibility emerging from the fact that many hypnotic items loaded on both factors.