Durability of “Posthypnotic Suggestions” as a Function of Type of Suggestion and Trance Depth

Abstract

3 types of “posthypnotic suggestion,” based upon factor analytic studies, were administered to high hypnotizable Ss (reals) and to low hypnotizable Ss instructed to simulate hypnosis (simulators) (N = 12 high and 6 low hypnotizable Ss per suggestion). The “posthypnotic suggestions” consisted of instructions given to Ss following a hypnotic induction that, when the posthypnotic cue was later given, they would re-enter the hypnotic state and perform a certain task at that time. Ss were then tested 6 times for durability of “posthypnotic response” during an 8-week period. Responses to the “suggestions” were rated by research assistants (objective scores) and by Ss themselves (subjective scores). There was a significant Trials × Type of “Suggestion” interaction for both types of scores for the reals but not for the simulators, indicating different rates of decline with time for the different “suggestions” for the hypnotic Ss. Depth of reported hypnotic trance during the assessment sessions was found to be strongly related to performance of the “posthypnotic suggestion” for both real and simulating Ss.