Lay Beliefs About, and Attitudes Towards, Hypnosis and Hypnotherapy
Author(s): Adrian Furnhan, Esther Lee
Abstract: Participants (N = 101) completed a 94-item questionnaire that explored their beliefs about what hypnosis is; individual susceptibility to hypnosis; hypnosis as therapy and as entertainment. It also assessed how individual experiences with hypnotism, through having seen a demonstration of hypnosis, and indeed having been hypnotized before, have an impact on lay attitudes and beliefs. The questionnaire was derived from “popular” and academic books on hypnosis and from interviews with lay people that concerned their beliefs about hypnosis and hypnotherapy. The three sections of the questionnaire were individually factor analyzed, and an interpretable factor structure emerged from each. Correlations were also found with these factors and demographic variables, as well as having been to a stage hypnotic show and having personally been hypnotized before. Factors associated with the three sections of the questionnaire were correlated modestly and significantly. The discussion considers the myths and dangers associated with hypnosis and hypnotherapy. Limitations of this particular study are also considered.
Keywords: Hypnosis; Hypnotic susceptibility; Lay beliefs; Attitudes toward hypnosis; Hypnotherapy; Stage hypnosis; Belief systems
Article: e15003
Download Full Article: Click here