Hypnosis and the enhancement of visual imagery

The enhancing effect of hypnosis on the vividness and the control of imagery was investigated. In 1 experiment, Ss who volunteered to be hypnotized were administered 2 measures of imagery, 1 under hypnotic conditions and 1 under imagination instructions while waking (counter-balanced). In another experiment, the imagery of 2 independent samples of Ss (waking or hypnotized) who volunteered for an imagery experiment was evaluated. Of the samples, hypnosis enhanced the vividness and control of imagery in only 1 – the sample with Ss who volunteered for hypnosis and were first administered a test of imagination while awake. Between the 2 independent samples, control of imagery was reduced in the hypnotized sample. There were no differences in the findings on vividness and control of imagery across high, medium, and low susceptible Ss. Combining all Ss, the correlation between vividness of visual imagery and hypnotic responsiveness was significant for males (r = .52) and the total sample (r = .33) but not for females (r = .15). Similar correlations for the control of imagery were not significant for males or females alone, but they were for the total sample (r = .18). The implications of the results are discussed in light of their relevance to theory, future research, and clinical practice.