title: A comparison of the hypnotic experience between signing deaf and hearing participants.
abstract: This study compared the hypnotic responsiveness of 17 hearing and 34 deaf individuals, all of whom received visual induction and hypnotic suggestions via some form of signing. The comparison between deaf and hearing participants was analyzed on five dependent measures: (a) the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C); (b) participants' individual item performance; (c) overall trance depth; (d) a rapport scale; and (e) a resistance scale measuring attitudes of participants toward the hypnotist. Although all participants showed at least a moderate level of hypnotic responsiveness, the data did not indicate a significant main effect between deaf and hearing participants on any of the dependent measures. However, there was a tendency (p < .08) for hearing participants to show a greater hypnotic responsiveness than deaf participants. Additionally, there was a significant difference between all the signing participants combined when compared to the norming population on three items of the SHSS:C. Clinical and theoretical implications of these data are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School and Counseling Program, School of Education, University of Massachusetts, Amherst 01003-4150.
authors.forename: W J
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Matthews
authors.forename: G L
authors.initials: GL
authors.lastname: Isenberg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D001364:Awareness; D003638:Deafness / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D012813:Sign Language; D013067:Speech Perception; D013404:Suggestion