Beliefs and attitudes of Chinese regarding hypnosis and its applications

Abstract

The aim of the current study is to broadly consider the beliefs and attitudes of Hong Kong Chinese, regarding the notion of hypnosis and its applications. Particular attention is given to a comparison between the data of the current Chinese sample and those obtained by Western studies. Parameters such as self-perceived hypnotizability and psychology training are also examined. Four hundred and fifty-seven college students in Hong Kong were included in the study, and widely used inventories were adopted to measure their beliefs and attitudes towards hypnosis and its applications. While participants' beliefs in regards to the general nature of hypnosis do not vary significantly according to their cultural background, participants' perceived value of hypnosis and attitudes towards being hypnotized are subject to the effects of psychology training and self-perceived hypnotizability. In addition, a number of significant associations between beliefs and attitudes with regard to hypnosis and its applications were found. This highlights the importance of clearing up the common misunderstanding in hypnotic practice.

An Investigation of Taiwanese Norms for the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale: Form C (Mandarin Chinese Translation)

“…There are only three studies regarding hypnosis that have been conducted in any Chinese-speaking country. Specifically, Yu (2004aYu ( , 2004bYu ( , 2005 has investigated hypnotizability with Cantonese-speaking samples in Hong Kong. The first two of these studies involved a self-report assessment of hypnotizability made without actually requiring the demonstration of hypnotic ability, while in the third study Yu incorporated the use of the Creative Imagination Scale (CIS; Barber & Wilson, 1978-1979.…”

Beliefs and opinions regarding hypnosis and its applications among Chinese professionals in medical settings

“…Findings generated from the university student sample have been discussed in the first article (Yu, 2004). To reiterate, Chinese college students demonstrated precisely the same set of beliefs and 'misconceptions' that were reported in Western samples.…”

“…On the one hand, it is argued that the misunderstanding of hypnosis has an undesirable impact on people's attitudes (see Yu, 2004) and therefore their subsequent responses to the use of hypnosis for the purpose of research or therapy (McConkey and Jupp, 1986). On the other, Northcott (1996) highlighted the implication that the invalidated beliefs can foster a potentially very dangerous situation, which may result in the misapplication and abuse of hypnosis by the therapist.…”

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Following the earlier report (see Yu, 2004) on how Chinese college students perceive hypnosis, this second paper proceeds to examine specifically the beliefs and opinions of Hong Kong Chinese health professionals regarding the notion of hypnosis and its clinical applications. In addition to the 457 college students initially reported in the first paper, 75 professionals working in medical settings are included in this study.

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A Causal Model Explaining the Relationships Governing Beliefs, Attitudes, and Hypnotic Responsiveness

“…Yu (2004) conducted an investigation using the OAH and the Attitudes Toward Hypnosis Questionnaire (ATHQ; Spanos, Brett, Menary, & Cross, 1987) in Hong Kong. The author reported that this investigation showed the same results as investigations in Western countries and that a number of people who had not experienced hypnosis previously regarded it as an "altered state of consciousness."…”