Hypnotic induction and oral temperature

Abstract

Oral temperature was measured in 19 Ss under hypnotic and control conditions. Confirming a previous study by Reid and Curtsinger (1968), the hypnotic induction procedure gave rise to a significant increase in oral temperature (p<.01). This significant rise was due to the data of 10 of the 19 Ss–6 did not change and 3 dropped in temperature. The temperature change was not related to Ss' responsiveness to suggestions or to their testimony that they were or were not hypnotized. Although good and poor hypnotic Ss manifested the same degree of temperature rise, there was a tendency for those who had the least previous hypnotic experience to show the greatest rise. The data suggest a hypothesis for further research: oral temperature rises during hypnotic induction to the extent that Ss perceive the hypnotic situation apprehensively, i.e., not in a matter-of-fact way, but as mysterious or foreboding.