Pseudomemory in Hypnotized and Simulating Subjects

• Published in: International journal of clinical and experimental hypnosis 1994-04, Vol.42 (2), p.118-129
• Main Authors: Lynn, Steven Jay, Rhue, Judith W., Myers, Bryan P., Weekes, John R.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Attention; Awareness; Biological and medical sciences; Female; Humans; Hypnosis; Male; Medical sciences; Mental Recall; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Reality Testing; Relaxation. Biofeedback. Hypnosis. Selfregulation. Meditation; Suggestion; Treatments
• ISSN: 0020-7144; 1744-5183
• DOI: 10.1080/00207149408409345

High hypnotizable (n - 23) and low hypnotizable simulating (n = 13) subjects received pseudomemory suggestions. High hypnotizable and low hypnotizable simulating subjects were equally likely to pass the target noise suggestion during hypnosis and were also equally likely (high hypnotizables, 47.83%; low hypnotizable simulators, 64.29%) to report pseudomemories when tested for pseudomemory after instructions to awaken. As in previous research with task-motivated subjects, pseudomemory rate (high hypnotizables, 47.48%; low hypnotizable simulators, 46.15%) was not reduced by informing subjects that they could distinguish fantasy and reality in a nonhypnotic state of deep concentration. At final inquiry, after deep concentration, high hypnotizable and low hypnotizable simulating subjects' pseudomemories remained comparable (43.48% and 38.46%, respectively). Unlike previous research, high hypnotizable subjects did not report more unsuggested noises and more pseudomemories of novel sounds than did awake low hypnotizable simulating subjects. Pseudo-memory reports were generally consistent with subjects' ratings of whether the hypnotist expected them to believe the sounds were real or imagined.