Hypnosis and the ICL : personality correlates of hypnotizability and subject/Hypnotist relationship variables

This study used the Interpersonal Check List (ICL) of the Leary System of Interpersonal Diagnosis to investigate personality correlates of hypnotizability as well as subject/hypnotist relationship variables. The Archaic Involvement Measure (AIM) was used to assess the subjects' transferential involvement with the experimenter. The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale, Form C (SHSS:C) was used to assess hypnotic susceptibility. Subjects obtaining SHSSrC scores of seven or greater were classified as high susceptible, while subjects obtaining SHSSrC scores of six or below were classified as low susceptible. Standardized relaxation instructions were read to control group subjects. For all hypnosis subjects (both low and high susceptible), there was a significant positive correlation between hypnotic susceptibility and the ICL measure of interpersonal trust. For low susceptible subjects and males, there was a significant positive correlation between hypnotic susceptibility and ICL ratings of Father as dominant. Transference, as measured by the AIM, was greater for hypnosis subjects as compared to relaxation control subjects. Results are discussed with reference to the notion of hypnotic types of Tellegen as well as the relational components of hypnosis as presented by Diamond.