by Tim Brunson PhD
There are many myths about hypnotizability. The first one that I encounter is that gullible and less intelligent individuals are more susceptible to being hypnotized. And secondly, some individuals believe that they cannot be hypnotized. The truth is that normally the person who has more intelligence, i.e., is more cognizant of his or her mental processes, is more likely to be willingly placed into a trance by a hypnosis operator. Likewise, since (to use a simplification of the generally accepted – by the AMA and APA – definition of hypnosis as an "altered state") hypnosis is generally any state other than that represented by full awareness (Beta brain wave frequency) and sleep (Delta brain wave frequency) it is obvious that to be human is to be capable of being hypnotized. Obviously, there must be a state between full concentration and awareness and the sleep state. Therefore, anyone can be hypnotized!
This then leads us to the issue of being placed into a hypnotic state on purpose by another. As individuals will vary in the speed of moving between full awareness and sleep (either with a variance between different days for the same individual or different people), so, can we notice a difference between individuals when they are deliberately put into trance? What hypnotic operators are looking for is typical signs such as increased lacrimation (tearing), increased thickness of the lower lip, changes in skin tone, and altered breathing. Furthermore, as signs that a significant trance has been achieved (also called somnambulism), the operator is looking for such things as visual and auditory hallucinations and the ability to remain deeply in hypnosis with eyes open.
The truth is that given a certain hypnotic techniques, such as guided imagery, an operator will notice a difference in the speed and depth of hypnosis between different subjects. Two standard ways that may be used to measure hypnotizability are the SHSS (Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale) and the HGSHS (Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility). Generally, studies have shown that personality and traits like low intelligence or gullibility may be a factor. Specifically, a study (Green, J.P., Ohio State University, 2004) attempted to address hypnotizability with gender and personality test scores. Dr. Green did not see any variance between the results of his study and earlier studies. (He used the HGSHS.)
Another interesting study that showed the relevance to higher hypnotizability was done in 2005 by D. Corydon Hammond, Ph.D., of the University of Utah Schoolof Medicine. Essentially, he showed that subjects who demonstrate a higher hypnotic responsiveness responded better to neurofeedback and showed more ability to alter clinical symptoms. What I take from this is that he indicated a relationship between hypnotic skills of an individual and auto-symptomatic intervention. The article went so far as to say that such ability represents a step forward in human evolution.
The truth is that although people vary in their susceptibility to a given hypnosis technique a skilled operator can hypnotize anyone. Even though studies using SHSS have shown that about 5% of subjects are "classically unypnotizable" and 10% are capable of rapid attainment of deep hypnosis, an operator with the availability of a plethora of techniques can usually attain some level of significant trance with any subject. Having hypnotized over 1,000 individuals since 1992, I agree with this statement. Normally, by detecting how someone changes mental states, I can derive a suitable technique to accomplish my goal. Even resistance to hypnosis (using the theories of the late Milton H. Erickson, M.D.) can be used to induce trance.
For a person who doubts his hypnotizability, I don't see this as an issue or obstacle. Furthermore, the level of trance required for the presented issue is so minor (i.e., test anxiety, memory enhancement, etc.) that only a light trance is needed. This should be easily attainable by any reputable hypnotic operator.
The International Hypnosis Research Institute is a member supported project involving integrative health care specialists from around the world. We provide information and educational resources to clinicians. Dr. Brunson is the author of over 150 self-help and clinical CD's and MP3's.
Posted: 12/17/2012
