An update on age, hypnotic suggestibility, and gender: a brief report

Am J Clin Hypn. 2007 Apr;49(4):283-7. doi: 10.1080/00029157.2007.10524505.

Abstract

This study assessed the relationship of age and hypnotic suggestibility in an effort to partially update the findings of Morgan and Hilgard (1973). A total of 2,660 undergraduates were administered the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A; Shor & Orne, 1962) over a 7 year period. Consistent with Morgan and Hilgard's results, we found a general trend for hypnotic suggestibility scores to decrease from age 17 to 40, and then increase thereafter. We also found that female participants scored higher on the HGSHS: A compared with males across the various age ranges that we sampled.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Age Factors
  • Aging / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypnosis*
  • Male
  • Sex Factors
  • Suggestion
  • Surveys and Questionnaires