Reactivation of memory by hypnosis and suggestion.

1 This study tested the hypothesis that the memory of meaningful material can be reactivated without relearning by means of hypnotic suggestion. Very susceptible (T) and non-susceptible (UT) subjects were sought from among those who volunteered for the experiment. Two forms of a memory test for connected meaningful material were developed. Each form consisted of an article 513 words in length and a test of recall for each form consisting of 33 short answer questions. The subject was allowed five minutes to read the article and eight minutes to answer all questions. The results indicated that hypnosis per se does not affect peripheral or related variables which interfere with learning such as anxiety, ease of distraction, or difficulty of concentration. When the variables were eliminated, the establishing of rapport and a good relationship; the utilizing of exhortative and alerting instructions created no hypnotic effect on memory. Tables and test materials are included. (Author/EK) Co CI UJ FINAL REPORT Project No. 7-1-071 Grant No. OEG-9-8-070071-0034 Reactivation of Memory by hypnosis and Suggestion Perry London Psychological Research and Service Center University of Southern California Los Angeles, California