Relationships of hypnotic susceptibility to paranormal beliefs and claimed experiences: implications for hypnotic absorption.
This study examined the relationships of hypnotic susceptibility level to belief in and claimed experience with paranormal phenomena. The Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A) and the Inventory of Paranormal Beliefs and Experiences were administered on consecutive days to 43 undergraduate students (14 men, 29 women) at a midwestern university. A significant multiple correlation was obtained (r = .55, p < .001). A partial correlation between hypnotic susceptibility and belief in paranormal phenomena was also significant (r = .53, p < .001), while hypnotic susceptibility was not found to be significantly related to claimed paranormal experiences. Implications of these relationships for the role of absorption in hypnosis are discussed.
Atkinson
R P
RP
Department of Psychology, Weber State University, Ogden, UT 84408-1202.
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006990:Hypnosis; D008297:Male; D010268:Parapsychology; D011581:Psychological Tests; D012069:Religion and Psychology