Eypnosis in children: An experimental approach

Abstract

Based on the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, the Children's Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, a standardized induction procedure for children five years and older, WM developed. Interscorer reliability ranged from +.90 to +.96, and retest reliability was found to be +.92. Two scoring systems are simultaneously employed, one measuring overt behurrior, the other allegedly measuring subjective involvement. Comparing children to college atudents on items, children were found significantly more susceptible. A linear relationship was found between age and simulation ability (r = +.67). The author speculates that a suspected curvilinear relationship of age and susceptibility may be a function of the confounding of differential simulation ability and motivation with hypnotic behavior. Further studies are suggested.