A SPECTRAL-ANALYSIS OF COGNITIVE AND PERSONALITY-VARIABLES IN HYPNOSIS - EMPIRICAL DISCONFIRMATION OF THE 2-FACTOR MODEL OF HYPNOTIC RESPONDING

The two-factor model of hypnotic responding posits that ability or tra it variables are more important than contextual variables in producing responses to difficult hypnotic suggestions, whereas contextual varia bles such as attitudes and expectancies are more important than trait variables in predicting responses to easier suggestions. In three sepa rate data sets, responses to suggestions of varying difficulty were co rrelated with absorption, fantasy proneness, dissociation, attitudes t oward hypnosis, and hypnotic response expectancy. Although the results of these analyses were not consistent across data sets, all significa nt findings were in the opposite direction of that predicted by two-fa ctor theorists. In general, expectancy was the strongest correlate of hypnotic response, especially for highly responsive participants and f or difficult suggestions. It is concluded that despite the attractiven ess of the two-factor model, repeated attempts to replicate its empiri cal base have been unsuccessful.