Short and medium term effects of hypnotic mood induction

A newly-developed kind of mood induction procedure (MIP) was enhanced and i s being re-evaluated. The procedure combines elements from both the Velten- technique (self-statements) and indirect hypnotic suggestions embedded in m etaphors, presenting the subjects with taped stories of either positive or negative outcome. Tapes also Contain mood-congruent background music. The e ffects of the procedure are assessed by several subscales of a mood questio nnaire (SES, Hampel, 1977). The aim of a first experiment was to identify a piece of music suitable for the negative MIP. 24 student subjects rated th e mood content of eight classical pieces of music on a specially designed s cale. The prologue of Funeral Music by Lutoslawski was regarded saddest of the pieces of music. In a second experiment it was assessed how many patien ts of a sample of 33 would react to this kind of mood induction and how lon g the effect would last. Data analysis on the base of individual regression residuals showed small effects congruent to our expectations for both vers ions of the induction procedure. The effects were shown to last about 50 mi nutes.