An investigation of the role of 'hypnosis', hypnotic susceptibility and hypnotic induction in the production of age regression.

Abstract

In response to criticisms of the methodology of Barber's(1969)experiments, a 2x2 factorial design, varying hypnotic susceptibility and hypnotic treatment, was used to study the role of 'hypnosis' in the production of age regression by suggestion. Twenty subjects of high hypnotic susceptibility and 20 subjects of low hypnotic susceptibility were randomly allocated to one of two treatment conditions:hypnotic induction procedure or motivational instructions. Both treatments were followed by suggestions to regress to the age of seven years. Two measures of age regression were taken:the Draw-A-Man-Test and a subjective rating of the reality of the experience. The results showed significant effec..