Hypnotizability, preference for an imagic cognitive style, and memory creation in hypnosis.

Abstract

We sought to extend the finding (Laurence & Perry, 1983) that it is possible through hypnosis to create a pseudomemory of a specific event. Subjects were compared on their responses to a hypnotic suggestion. We also examined the relation between nonhypnotic measures (Preference for an Imagic Cognitive Style [PICS] test and the Tellegen Absorption Scale [TAS]) and response to the suggestion. Highly (45.45%) and moderately-highly (46.15%) susceptible subjects believed that the pseudomemory was veridical, but none of the low susceptible subjects did so. Together, hypnotic susceptibility, the PICS, and their interaction more strongly predicted pseudomemory creation than any of these main effects alone. Performance on the TAS was also related to the occurrence of pseudomemory, but this relation was redundant with performance on the other measures. These results point to the complexity of the variables involved in pseudomemory creation during hypnosis.

Experimental Production of Illusory (False) Memories in Reconstructions of Narratives: Effect Size and Potential Mediation by Right Hemispheric Stimulation from Complex, Weak Magnetic Fields

“…First, the HIP scores for the subjects within this study were within the average range. Many researchers have selected primarily highly hypnotizable or "imagery prone" participants (e.g., Labelle, Laurence, Nadon and Campbell, 1990). Secondly, the distinction between a "false memory" and an "inferential memory," such as the "boy was looking out the window because he was sick" rather than the original phrase "the boy, with a blanched face, was looking out the window" may vary between experimenters.…”

“…Third we evaluated hypnotizability before the introduction to the story rather than the hypnotic state while listening to the story or during its inaccuratk or accurate reiteration 30 min later. Fourth, most of the studies involved with the most profound effects of hypnosis upon illusory memory (Labelle et al, 1990) have involved personal (autobiographical) memory rather than impersonal (narrative) memory. Considering the differences in metabolic patterns during reconstruction of personal memories compared to the reconstructions of impersonal memories (Fink, Markowitsch, Reinkemeier, Bruckbauer, Kessler and Heiss, 1996), the frequent correlations between hypnotizability and capacity for illusory memories may be more specific to autobiographical contexts.…”

Trauma, dissociatie en het geheugen: neurobiologische aspecten

“…Hoog hypnotiseerbare mensen en 'fantasy prone personalities' zijn suggestibel en hebben in het algemeen moeite met het in de gaten houden van de grens tussen werkelijkheid en fantasie (Lynn & Rhue, 1986, 1988. Ondanks de complexiteit van de variabelen in dergelijk onderzoek zijn er aanwijzingen dat hoog-hypnotiseerbare personen eerder verkeerde informatie in het geheugen opslaan dan laaghypnotiseerbare mensen (Labelle et al, 1990 ;Barnier & McConkey, 1992). Hoewel nog gezocht wordt naar een betrouwbare manier om het scheppen van pseudo-herinneringen in therapiee¨n vast te stellen (Brown, 1995), zijn er voldoende aanwijzingen om aan te nemen dat hypermnestische suggesties onjuiste veronderstellingen in de hand werken en zowel het 'geloof' in waar als in niet-waar versterken (Erdelyi, 1996 ;Kihlstrom, 1997).…”

The Associations Between Pain-related Beliefs, Pain Intensity, and Patient Functioning

“…20 In short, higher levels of trait hypnotizability may make individuals with chronic pain more vulnerable to the negative effects of catastrophizing and more responsive to the positive effects of control beliefs. Preliminary support for this possibility comes from research showing that, relative to individuals with lower hypnotizability scores, individuals with higher hypnotizability scores (1) demonstrate stronger affective responses to violent films, 21 (2) are more likely to believe that a hypnotically suggested event had actually occurred, 22–23 and (3) can find it more difficult to shift from negative to positive moods when moods are induced by negative images. 24 …”