HYPNOTIC SUGGESTION - A MUSICAL MATHAPHOR

Conceptually, hypnotizability has always been associated with the incr ease in suggestibility produced by hypnosis. In practice, hypnotizabil ity is measured as suggestibility following a hypnotic induction. Our understanding of hypnosis and suggestion has been hampered by this dis cordance between the conceptual and operational definitions of hypnoti zability. For example, despite hundreds of studies purporting to use s tandardized scales to assess hypnotizability, we know next to nothing about that construct, as it has been defined conceputally. Neither the hypothesis that it is a stable trait nor the hypothesis that it is mo difiable have been tested in any study, and correlations between hypno tizability and other psychological or physiological variables have not yet been assessed. Conversely, we have learned much about hypnosis, s uggestion, and suggestibility. Suggestibility has been measured on rel iable and valid instruments, and we have abundant data on its stabilit y, modifiability, and correlates. Hypnosis enhances suggestibility to a modest degree and increases the effectiveness of psychotherapy.