RESPONSE EXPECTANCIES AND INTERPRETATIONS AS DETERMINANTS OF HYPNOTICRESPONDING

Ss rated the extent to which they expected to respond to each of the s uggestions on a hypnotizability scale both before and after the admini stration of the preliminary hypnotic induction procedure. After the in duction, Ss also rated the extent to which they planned to respond act ively and passively to each suggestion. Contrary to strong versions of response-expectancy theory, the extent to which Ss planned to adopt a n active interpretation predicted behavioral and subjective indexes of hypnotizability even after controlling for the effects of postinducti on expectations. In addition, an active interpretation significantly p redicted response to suggestion for which Ss held weak and uncertain e xpectations. The relationship between expectation and hypnotizability was found to be fan-shaped rather than linear. Implications are discus sed.