In an investigation of the role of cognitive effort in hypnotic responding, high and low hypnotizable participants produced emotionally neutral imagery in response to effortful versus effortless hypnotic suggestions. Heart-rate increase served as an objective index of cognitive effort, and subjective ratings of imagery vividness, absorption, effort, and control were collected. Compared to lows, high hypnotizable participants experienced their imagery as more vivid and absorbing, yet their heart rates indicated no higher level of cognitive effort than lows. Compared to effortless wording, effortful wording of suggestions increased cognitive effort in lows, as indexed by heart-rate increase, but had no effect on the effort expended by highs. Ratings of subjective control were strongly correlated with subjective effort for lows but unrelated for highs. These results support the dissociated-control theory of hypnosis rather than the dissociated-experience or social-cognitive theories.

Department of Psychology, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. psadler@wlu.ca

Posted: 02/18/2007



This article provided by The International Hypnosis Research Institute.

Enter your email address to subscribe to the IHRI Newsletter.

Erectile Dysfunction Erectile dysfunction affects an estimated 15 to 30 million Americans.Hypnosis can help you with stress, depression, and any issues dealing with your inner mind that may be causing your erectile dysfunction.So,Be Ready When You Want To Be!

No More Teeth Grinding Stress is often the root cause of bruxism, or teeth grinding. Teeth grinding is an unconscious habit, and so hypnosis works with your unconscious mind to reprogram your teeth grinding response into something more relaxing and positive.

Do Away With Jealousy Release Jealousy To Discover Deeper Relationships Of Trust!This hypnosis session will teach you take back control of your imagination so that you use it for positive visualization, rather than negative suspicions.