SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE OF HIGHLY HYPNOTIZABLE INDIVIDUALS DURING HYPNOSIS SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE OF HIGHLY HYPNOTIZABLE INDIVIDUALS DURING HYPNOSIS

SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE OF HIGHLY HYPNOTIZABLE INDIVIDUALS DURING HYPNOSIS SUBJECTIVE EXPERIENCE OF HIGHLY HYPNOTIZABLE INDIVIDUALS DURING HYPNOSIS

The aim of the present study was to examine the subjective experience of highly hypnotizable individuals during hypnosis. The study conducted also examined the structure and pattern of subjective experience among highly hypnotizable individuals. Further investigations were carried out regarding the dimensions of experience which are common and unique to highly hypnotizable individuals. The sample consisted of 10 post graduate college students. Among the 50 participants who volunteered for phase I of the study, 10 highly hypnotizable individuals were selected for phase II. The tools used in phase I of the study were General Health Questionnaire - 12 (GHQ-12), and Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility- Form A (HGSHS: A). The Phenomenology Consciousness Inventory- Hypnotic Assessment Procedure (PCI-HAP) was used to examine the subjective experience of highly hypnotizable individuals in phase II of the study. Assessment was carried out in group sessions for phase I and individual sessions for phase II were conducted in the college premises. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics such as mean, standard deviation, frequency and percentage, to analyze the personal data of respondents and dimensions of subjective experience. Profile analysis was done using PCI-HAP interpretative manual. Collective analysis of profiles was executed through scaled phenomenological intensity profiles. Thematic analysis was carried out for the subjective responses given by the respondents that described their experience of the vacation (hypnotic dream imagery), trying to open their eyes (ideomotor challenge), two minute quiet period (PCI imagery), feelings after hypnosis, negative effects during or after hypnosis, how hypnotized they feel they became (depth experience). The results show that highly hypnotizable individuals experience distinct patterns of phenomenological experience during hypnosis. They differed in their trance typology profile, suggesting the existence of various subtypes among this population. Half of them were visualizers experiencing high intensity of vivid imagery, self awareness and intact memory. Highly experienced dimension by the group was absorption, highlighting as an important correlate of hypnotizability. The least experienced dimension was volitional control, suggesting less loss of phenomenological control during the PCI-HAP. Implications of the study are discussed. Keywords: Hypnotizability, Hypnotic susceptibility, Subjective experience, Hypnotic response, Phenomenology Consciousness Inventory (PCI).

R. Apurva

Psychology