Toward a theory of "hypnotic" behavior: experimental analyses of suggested amnesia.

Suggestions of amnesia were given to 144 Ss in a 2 X 2 X 4 factorial experiment. The independent variables were: (1) spoken versus recorded presentation of suggestions; (2) presence versus absence of hypnotic induction; and (3) 4 types of suggestions for amnesia—authoritative ("You will not remember I"), permissive ("Try to forget"), suggestions to simulate, and no suggestions. Variable 1 did not produce important differences in amnesic performance. Variable 2 significantly affected 1 of the 5 tests for amnesia, with the presence of hypnotic induction resulting in less amnesia. Variable 3 exerted the most powerful effect. Irrespective of the presence or absence of hypnotic induction, Ss differed on the tests for amnesia depending on whether they were given suggestions to simulate, authoritative or permissive, or no suggestions.