Self-hypnosis: The result of heterohypnosis or vice versa?

This study developed quantitative measures of self-hypnosis and used them to investigate how effective self-hypnosis is, both without initial training and following heterohypnosis. A total of 88 undergraduates first received group adaptations of HGSHS:A and SHss:C; the “conventional” group received the usual standsrdized inductions, the “first-person” group received rephrased inductions, and the “selfinstructed” group supplied their own inductions. All Ss then received a self-instructed SHSS:C and a conventional HGSHS:A. The selfinstructed scales yielded entirely satisfactory measurements, both objective and subjective. Untrained self-hypnosis was as effective as heterohypnosis. Conventional heterohypnosis inhibited later selfhypnosis, but first-person versions did not. Initial self-hypnosis facilitated later heterohypnosis. These findings contradict a stereotype of hypnosis baed on heterohypnosis of a passive S by an active hypnotist, with self-hypnosis a derivative of this. They suggest instead a reconceptualization in which active self-hypnosis is the primary phenomenon, heterohypnosis is in effect guided self-hypnosis, and a hypnotist is as capable of being inhibitory as helpful.