THE RELATIVE EFFECTIVENESS OF TASK-MOTIVATING INSTRUCTIONS AND TRANCE-INDUCTION PROCEDURE IN THE PRODUCTION OF “HYPNOTIC-LIKE” BEHAVIORS

Abstract

The major purpose of the experiment was to determine the relative effectiveness of 2 operationally defined independent variables, 1) explicit task-motivating instructions and 2) a conventional trance-induction procedure, in producing enhanced "suggestibility" or enhanced ability to perform "hypnotic-like" behaviors. Since Group 1 (Task Motivation Alone) did not differ significantly either from Group 2 (Trance Induction Alone) or Group 3 (Task Motivation together with Trance Induction), it was concluded that brief task-motivating instructions given alone are as effective as a standardized trance-induction procedure given alone or a standardized trance-induction procedure given together with task-motivating instructions in producing enhanced "suggestibility" or enhanced ability to perform "hypnotic-like" behaviors.