Consequences of Direct and Indirect Suggestions on Success of Posthypnotic Behavior

Abstract

Studies using standardized susceptibility tests based on the direct hypnotic technique suggest that only a minority of the population can benefit from hypnotic treatment. Use of an indirect approach demonstrated that those low on such susceptibility tests can be successfully hypnotized. Groups of twelve volunteers each received either direct or indirect suggestions from tape-recorded inductions. One group of males and one of females received each type of suggestion. Indirect suggestions proved more successful in producing posthypnotic behavior, especially for females. Susceptibility scores predicted more poorly in the indirect group. The indirect group also had less correlation between subjective reports and overt behavior. Use of both the direct and indirect approaches may permit more people to benefit from hypnosis.