MAY 2004, VOLUME 32, NUMBER 1, Abstract 2
Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs about Clinical Hypnosis
Norman R. Barling, Bond University
Danielle A.G. De Lucchi, Bond University
This study investigated knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and motivation regarding clinical hypnosis. A comparison was made between those who had previous experience with hypnosis and people who had no previous experience with hypnosis. Results indicated that previous experience with hypnosis was associated with significantly more accurate knowledge, more positive attitudes and beliefs about hypnosis, and greater intention to use clinical hypnosis. There were no significant differences between younger and older non-experienced or hypnosis-experienced participants in relation to accuracy of knowledge, positive beliefs about hypnosis, beliefs about the mental stability of hypnotizable people, or fear about hypnosis. Those who obtained their information about hypnosis from personal experiences had significantly more accurate knowledge about hypnosis than those who obtained their information from stage hypnosis/television presentations. They also had significantly more positive beliefs and less fear about hypnosis than those who obtained their information from stage hypnosis/television presentations.