Hypnosis as an aid to recall of meaningful information presented under three types of arousal

Abstract

This study was designed to examine the effect of hypnotic induction on recall of information which was incidental, meaningful, and contextually presented. A hypnotic induction with task motivating suggestions was found to enhance recall to a greater extent than were task motivating suggestions alone. It was argued that the positive findings of this study might be due to (a) the types of information used for recall in this study, (b) confidence/motivational factors felt to be facilitated by hypnotic induction, and (c) reduction in critical judgment which allows for the reporting of partial memories. Film-induced arousal resulted in physiological measures and self-reports of arousal which varied with the content of the films. The effects of arousal on recall, however, were less clear but with only slight indications that traumatic arousal had a deleterious effect on recall. Support for the contention that a hypnotic induction would aid recall of information learned under traumatic arousal to a greater extent was not found. The range of arousal produced, however, was probably restricted in comparison to “natural” arousal. Greater differences in recall might be found in real world situations.