A quantitative study of post-hypnotic amnesia.

Abstract

BY CLINTON B. STEICKLEEi From the psychological laboratory, University of Wisconsin. The investigation here here reported was carried out under the direction of Professor Clark L. Hull. It is the second of a series of Wisconsin studies eoneerned with hypnotic phenomena and the second to be published. The first of the series to appear in print was by Ramona Messerschnudt: "A Quantitative Investigation of the Alleged Independent Operation of Conscious and Subconscious Processes",

Electrodermal measures in experimental amnesia.

“…As Hull (1933) pointed out, the fact that hypnotic amnesia can be reversed makes it likely that the underlying mechanism does not lie either at the level of retention or of registration, but rather that it effects primarily the level of reproduction. Experiments by Bitterman and Marcuse (194S) and Strickler (1929) also suggest that the amnesia of hypnosis does not completely erase all memory traces. Bitterman and Marcuse have, in addition, demonstrated that the autonomic nervous system gives evidence of an emotional response although the subject denies recognition of the "forgotten" material.…”

Some characteristics of posthypnotic amnesia.

“…Experiments dealing with posthypnotic amnesia, such as those of Mitchell (1932), Patten (1932), Strickler (1929), and Wells (1941; see Barber, 1962a, for a more extensive review), have shown that the extent of the amnesia obtained is a function of, (a) the susceptibility of the subjects used, (b) the explicitness of the amnesia suggestions, and (c) the face validity or apparent relevance of the assessment procedures to the measurement of amnesia.…”

A general review of the literature on hypnotism and suggestion.

“…The amount of post-hypnotic amnesia was determined quanti-tatively by Strickler (114) to be 50 per cent for relearning amnesia and 80 per cent for recall amnesia.…”