MAY 1998, VOLUME 26, NUMBER 1, Abstract 3
ABSORPTION, HYPNOTIC EXPERIENCE, AND INSTRUCTIONAL SET
Suzanne M. Roche, University of New South Wales
Amanda J. Barnier, University of New South Wales
Kevin M. McConkey, University of New South Wales
On an administration of the Tellegen Absorption Scale (TAS), we first investigated the impact on absorption scores of whether subjects had or had not experienced hypnosis. On a subsequent administration of the TAS, we then investigated the impact of instructions for subjects to respond as if they were high or low hypnotisable. On the first administration, subjects who had and had not experienced hypnosis scored similarly. On the second administration, subjects instructed to respond as high or low hypnotisable increased or decreased their absorption scores, respectively. Implications for understanding the relationship between absorption and hypnotisability and the impact of instruction are discussed.