Posthypnotic responding: The relevance of suggestion and test congruence

Thirty real, hypnotized subjects and 34 simulating, unhypnotized subjects w ere given either a suggestion to respond when they heard a cue (general) or a suggestion to respond when they heard a cue after hypnosis (posthypnotic ). Half the subjects were given the cue during hypnosis (hypnotic test) and half were given it after hypnosis (posthypnotic test). Those who were give n the cue during hypnosis were also given it after hypnosis. Between- and w ithin-group comparisons were made of subjects' behavioral responses, latenc ies to respond, and ratings of experimental compulsion. The findings indica ted that subjects' behavior and experience were influenced by congruence be tween information conveyed by the suggestion and the test about when and ho w they should respond.