Language, mysticism, and hypnotizability: a brief communication.

People who report mystical or religious experiences tend to be more responsive to hypnotic suggestion. Eighty-one participants completed measures of hypnotic susceptibility and mysticism. Those with high mysticism scores were significantly more hypnotizable than those with low scores. The language strategies used to describe mystical experiences resemble those used to induce hypnosis, suggesting a shared psychological mechanism. The authors call for further research into the connection between openness to mystical experience and susceptibility to hypnotic suggestion.

Study at a glance

Abstract

People attempting to communicate religious and mystical experiences tend to use the same language strategies employed in inducing hypnotic trance. Both incorporate vague language that provides receptive listeners the opportunity to insert their own content. This study examines whether people who have had mystical or religious experiences are also more likely to respond to the language of hypnosis. Eighty-one participants completed the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A and the Hood Mysticism Scale. Participants were divided into 3 equal groups based on "high," "ambiguous," and "low" mysticism scale scores. The high group scored significantly higher on hypnotizability compared to the low group. The relationship between openness to mystical and religious experience and susceptibility to hypnotic suggestion warrants further investigation.