Hypnosis, suggestion type, and subjective experience--the order-effects hypothesis revisited: a brief communication.
The International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis April 1990 DOI: 10.1080/00207149008414504 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Replication and extension study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Hypnotized participants (female and male) |
| Key points | Suggestion order was unrelated to hypnotic responding, confirming earlier findings: participants were no more responsive to easy-to-difficult than difficult-to-easy orders, and subjective involvement, involuntariness, and archaic involvement were no more sensitive to order than objective responding. Direct suggestions facilitated suggestion-related involuntariness and response to the hypnotic amnesia item after cancellation, whereas indirect suggestions enhanced fears of negative appraisal by the hypnotist. Female participants were more involved in suggestions than males, particularly on more difficult items. |
Abstract
In a replication and extension of Field, Evans, and Orne's (1965) research, no support was found for the hypothesis that suggestion order is related to hypnotic responding. Confirming earlier findings, Ss were no more responsive to suggestions ordered from easy-to-difficult than they were to suggestions ordered from difficult-to-easy. Measures of subjective involvement in suggestions, involuntariness, and archaic involvement with the hypnotist were no more sensitive to order effects than was the measure of objective responding. Nor were order effects more apparent with Ss who received direct versus indirect suggestions. Direct suggestions facilitated suggestion-related involuntariness and response to the hypnotic amnesia item after cancellation, whereas indirect suggestions enhanced fears of negative appraisal by the hypnotist. Finally, female Ss were more involved in suggestions than were the males, particularly in response to more difficult test items.