Suggestibility, Expectancy, Trance State Effects, and Hypnotic Depth: II. Assessment via the PCI-HAP

Abstract

This study sought to determine if self-reported hypnotic depth (srHD) could be predicted from the variables of the Phenomenology of Consciousness Inventory - Hypnotic Assessment Procedure (PCI-HAP) (Pekala, 1995a, 1995b; Pekala & Kumar, 2007; Pekala et al., 2010), assessing several of the processes theorized by researchers to be associated with hypnotism: trance (altered state effects), suggestibility, and expectancy. One hundred and eighty participants completed the PCI-HAP. Using regression analyses, srHD scores were predicted from the PCI-HAP pre-hypnotic and post-hypnotic assessment items, and several other variables. The results suggested that the srHD scores were found to be a function of imagoic suggestibility, expectancy (both estimated hypnotic depth and expected therapeutic efficacy), and trance state and eye catalepsy effects; effects that appear to be additive and not (statistically) interactive. The results support the theorizing of many investigators concerning the involvement of the aforementioned component processes with this particular aspect of hypnotism, the self-reported hypnotic depth score.

Cerebral mechanisms of hypnotic hypoesthesia. An ERP investigation on the expectancy stage of perception

“…The lack of correlation between pN and sN components and the subjective estimation of stimulus intensity suggests that sensory and affective perception are not mediated by isolated activities in the brain, but rather by the integration of neural activities in a wider network of brain areas. Likewise, the neurophysiological parameters were not associated to the HGSHS‐A score, a fact which may depend on two different factors: (a) Hypnotic ability is a complex phenomenon, the personality features of which are ill‐defined yet, while the Harvard and Stanford scales are essentially based on a construct of suggestibility (Facco et al., 2017); (b) being hypnosis a matter of a complex subjective, introspective activity it is reasonable to speculate that phenomenological measures (e.g., Pekala et al., 2010) may be more appropriate to define it, than a behavioral parameter.…”

Hypnotic approaches for chronic pain management: Clinical implications of recent research findings.

“…In the last decade, there has been a growing call to view hypnosis from multiple perspectives (e.g., Holroyd, 2003; Kihlstrom, 2003). Some preliminary work to develop more integrative models has also been published (e.g., Barnier, Dienes, & Mitchell, 2008; Pekala et al, 2010b). Despite the fact that the field is beginning to move beyond these two narrow (and conflicting) notions of hypnosis, it is still useful to understand the original models, because each will likely contribute important ideas to an overarching biopsychosocial model of hypnotic analgesia.…”

Hypnosis as a “State of Consciousness”: How Quantifying the Mind Can Help Us Better Understand Hypnosis

“…Additionally, Wagstaff (2010) wrote that the srHD score "is very similar to that found in the Long Stanford Scale of Hypnotic Depth (LSS)," (p. 49), suggesting commonalities between the srHD and LSS scores. Pekala et al (2010aPekala et al ( , 2010b sought to determine if srHD could be predicted from the variables of the PCI-HAP assessing several of the processes theorized by researchers to be associated with hypnosis: trance or altered state effects (Kihlstrom, 2003(Kihlstrom, , 2005Weitzenhoffer, 2002;Woody & Bowers, 1994), suggestibility (Shumaker, 1991), and expectancy (Kirsch, 1985;Kirsch & Braffman, 1999, 2001. One hundred eighty participants completed the PCI-HAP.…”