The International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
Volume 57, Number 1 - January 2009 - English

Hypnotic Illusions and Clinical Delusions: A Hypnotic Paradigm for Investigating Delusions of Misidentification
Rochelle E. Cox and Amanda J. Barnier

Abstract: In 2 experiments, the authors created a hypnotic analogue of delusions of misidentification and explored their impact on autobiographical memory. In Experiment 1, to establish the paradigm, high and low hypnotizable participants were given a suggestion to become someone similar or dissimilar to themselves. In Experiment 2, to further test the paradigm and examine autobiographical remembering, highs were given a suggestion to become a same-sex sibling, administered 2 challenges to the temporary delusion, and asked to generate autobiographical memories. For high hypnotizable participants, the suggested delusions of misidentification were compelling and resistant to challenge. During these temporary delusions, participants generated specific autobiographical memories that reflected previously experienced events viewed from the perspective of the suggested identity. These findings highlight the instrumental value of hypnosis to the investigation and understanding of delusions and autobiographical memory.

Hypnotic Experience Is Related to Emotional Contagion
ETZEL CARDEÑA, DEVIN B. TERHUNE, ANGELICA LÖÖF,  AND SANDRA BURATTI

Abstract: The authors conducted 2 studies to evaluate whether emotional contagion, the propensity to imitate the emotional expressions of others and experience the corresponding emotions, is related to behavioral and experiential indices of hypnotizability and whether such relationship is influenced by administration context. In Study 1, behavioral and subjective measures of hypnotizability were measured alongside emotional contagion in the same context. In Study 2, different measures of hypnotizability and hypnotic depth were administered, whereas emotional contagion was independently measured in a different (nonhypnotic) context. Emotional contagion correlated with behavioral and experiential indices of hypnotizability in Study 1, but only with the latter in Study 2. The authors interpret the results as reflecting a positive relationship between emotional contagion and, at least, experiential features of hypnotizability and strengthening the case for the importance of affectivity in hypnotic responsiveness.

The Therapeutic Release of Anger: Helen Watkins’ Silent Abreaction and Subsequent Elaborations of the Anger Rock
SARAH Y. KRAKAUER

Abstract: This paper summarizes Helen Watkins’s (1980) silent abreaction technique for releasing anger and the subsequent elaborations it has inspired. Discussion of Watkins’s seminal article incorporates her verbatim account of the technique, 2 clinical applications, and her encouragement of further adaptations. Other scholars’ subsequent contributions include an adaptation for dissociative identity disorder, brief treatment of constant pain syndrome, and inpatient treatment of a suicidally depressed, dissociative survivor of sexual abuse. Commonalities and distinctions among Watkins’s work and these modifications are discussed. New case material from the author’s practice illustrate further elaborations, with emphasis on the role of releasing anger in the resolution of dissociative defenses and internal fragmentation in dissociative clients. To enhance the clinical utility of this paper, verbatim passages are included for all case illustrations in Watkins (1980), the 3 published elaborations, and the new case material.

Positive Affect, Negative Affect, and Negative Effects during a Phenomenological Hypnotic Assessment within a Substance Abuse Population
RONALD J. PEKALA, V. K. KUMAR, RONALD L. MAURER, SR., NANCY ELLIOTT-CARTER, EDWARD MOON, AND KAREN MULLEN

Abstract: Positive and negative affect generated while using the Phenomenology of Consciousness - Hypnotic Assessment Procedure (PCI-HAP) on a sample of drug and alcohol users were predicted using several variables. The results were then cross-validated on a second, smaller sample. The results suggest that, although some negative affect was reported, the PCI-HAP was more likely to generate positive, rather than negative, affect. Positive affect was related to the vividness of a suggested hypnotic dream during hypnosis and also hypnotic depth; these findings were replicated upon cross-validation. Although negative affect correlated with the Dissociative Experiences Scale scores and falling asleep, these results did not replicate upon cross-validation. Mild transient negative effects (e.g., headache) were reported by about 10% of the participants in a smaller, second sample. Implications of the results are discussed.

EEG correlates of Virtual Reality Hypnosis
DAVID WHITE, JOSEPH CIORCIARI, COLIN CARBIS, AND DAVID LILEY

Abstract: The study investigated hypnosis-related electroencephalographic (EEG) coherence and power spectra changes in high and low hypnotizables (Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale) induced by a virtual reality hypnosis (VRH) induction system. In this study, the EEG from 17 participants (Mean age = 21.35, SD = 1.58) were compared based on their hypnotizability score. The EEG recording associated with 2-minute, eyes-closed baseline state was compared to the EEG during a hypnosis-related state. This novel induction system was able to produce EEG findings consistent with previous hypnosis literature. Interactions of significance were found with EEG beta coherence. The high susceptibility group (n = 7) showed decreased coherence, while the low susceptibility group (n = 10) demonstrated an increase in coherence between medial frontal and lateral left prefrontal sites. Methodological and efficacy issues are discussed.

Norms for the Korean Version of the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A
YOUNG DON PYUN AND YUN JOO KIM

Abstract: The Korean Version of the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:K) was adapted and studied in order to determine Korean norms. In total, 271 subjects (175 males and 96 females) participated in the study. Comparisons are made between the Korean samples and previously published international samples. The normative data from the Korean sample on the HGSHS:K are generally congruent, including means and standard deviations, with data from international reference samples. However, the pass rate on the hallucination item on the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A was significantly different from that of the American sample. Females showed higher overall scores than males.