Laterality, Hypnosis, and the Autokinetic Effect

Abstract

Studies of the relationship of hemispheric dominance to hypnotic susceptibility suggest a connection may exist between hypnosis and the nondominant hemisphere. In this experiment changes in lateral brain functioning were studied by means of the autokinetic effect. Scores for the proportion of perceived autokinetic movement to the left, assumed to reflect right hemisphere activation, were significantly greater for hypnotized, as opposed to nonhypnotized, undergraduate subjects. It is reasonable to assume there is a relationship between laterality and the autokinetic effect. Should this assumption receive further, independent support, our results would give support to the hypothesis that hypnosis involves greater activation of the right hemisphere for most subjects. The experiment also suggests that hypnosis may involve a cognitive change of state, and that hypnotic phenomena cannot be explained entirely in terms of motivational variables.