Reflections on the varieties of hypnotizables: a commentary on Terhune and Cardeña.

This commentary reflects on the varieties of high hypnotizable subjects suggested in the works by Barber, Barrett, Pekala and colleagues, and Terhune and Cardeña (2010). These different studies point to the existence of different types of low, medium, and high hypnotizable subjects. However, types of high hypnotizables have received the most attention. Two main concerns are raised in this commentary: (a) drawing parallels between the suggested typologies is not without problems given methodological differences among different studies, and (b) the low base rates of these special types is likely not to appeal to a typical clinician, already resistant to testing for hypnotizability, to conduct initial assessments so as to tailor suggestion to fit specific typologies.

Conscious Cogn. 2010 Dec;19(4):1151-3; discussion 1154-5. Epub 2010 Apr 28. Kumar VK. Department of Psychology, West Chester University of Pennsylvania, West Chester, PA 19383, United States. Kkumar@wcupa.edu