The Effects of a Problem-Solving and Imagery-Based Suggestion on Analgesic Responding in Low, Medium, and High Hypnotizable Females
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Western Michigan University ScholarWorks at WMU Dissertations Graduate College 12-1994 The Effects of a Problem-Solving and Imagery-Based Suggestion on Analgesic Responding in Low, Medium, and High Hypnotizable Females Gloria Haddad Taggett Western Michigan University Follow this and additional works at: https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations Part of the Experimental Analysis of Behavior Commons Recommended Citation Taggett, Gloria Haddad, "The Effects of a Problem-Solving and Imagery-Based Suggestion on Analgesic Responding in Low, Medium, and High Hypnotizable Females" (1994). Dissertations. 1854. https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/dissertations/1854 This Dissertation-Open Access is brought to you for free and open access by the Graduate College at ScholarWorks at WMU. It has been accepted for inclusion in Dissertations by an authorized administrator of ScholarWorks at WMU. For more information, please contact [email protected]. THE EFFECTS OF A PROBLEM-SOLVING AND IMAGERY-BASED SUGGESTION ON ANALGESIC RESPONDING IN LOW, MEDIUM, AND HIGH HYPNOTIZABLE FEMALES by Gloria Haddad Taggett A Dissertation Submitted to the Faculty of The Graduate College in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy Department of Psychology Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, Michigan December 1994 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. THE EFFECTS OF A PROBLEM-SOLVING AND IMAGERY-BASED SUGGESTION ON ANALGESIC RESPONDING IN LOW, MEDIUM, AND HIGH HYPNOTIZABLE FEMALES Gloria Haddad Taggett, Ph.D. Western Michigan University, 1994 This study assessed the effects of a problem-solving suggestion as compared with an imagery-based suggestion on analgesic responding in subjects scoring in the low, medium, and high ranges on scales of hypnotizability. Subjects were exposed at separate intervals to either an hypnotic suggestion patter containing specific imagery designed to enhance analgesic performance, or alternatively to a suggestion patter that provided only general problem-solving direction, but contained no specific imaginal guidance. Performance was assessed using two duration measures on a cold-pressor test. Specific measures included both the total time duration a subject held the target hand in cold water (tolerance) as well as the time elapsed between introducing the hand into the cold water before the subjective report of pain was signaled (threshold). Each subject was exposed, in a crossover design, to each experimental condition. In addition to each subject serving as her own control, a separate control group was used to examine the effects of repeated introduction of the hand into ice water. The imagery-based suggestion showed an increase in both threshold and tolerance of noxious stimulation only in the subjects scoring in the low range on the scale of hypnotizability, and then only when given first in sequence. The imagery suggestion was ineffective in increasing threshold and tolerance times for the subjects scoring in the medium and high ranges on the scale of hypnotizability. With respect to Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. the problem-solving suggestion, no differential effects were detected in performance the cold-pressor apparatus for any of the subjects. Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. INFORMATION TO USERS This manuscript has been reproduced from the microfilm master. UM3 films the text directly from the original or copy submined. 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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I would like to extend my sincere thanks to Dr. Galen Alessi for his support and guidance throughout this entire process. Without his help, this project would not have been possible. I also wish to thank all o f the members of this dissertation com m ittee: Dr. Dale Brethower, Dr. Jim Kaye and Dr. Malcolm Roberstson. I extend my gratitude to the professors at Western Michigan University who allowed me to recruit subjects from their classes: in the Department of Social Work, I am grateful to Dr. Cooney, Dr. Reeser, Ms. Phillips and Ms. Lynch; from the Department of Education and Professional Development, I am thankful to Dr. Anderson, Dr. Inselberg, and Dr. Pillsbury; and from the Department of Psychology, I extend my thanks to Dr. Galen Alessi and Dr. Neil Kent for allowing me to recruit subjects from their classes, and for giving their students incentive to participate in this study. I am grateful to Dr. Jim Turcott who allowed me to recruit subjects from his classes at Kalamazoo Valley Community College, and who gave his students extra credit for their participation in this study. I appreciate the support that I have received from my colleagues at Allegan County Community Mental Health Agency, specifically, I thank Ms. Jerilyn Roebling for allowing me to recruit subjects for this study. In addition, I appreciate the help of Ms. Peggy Flickinger, Ms. Krista Hausermann, Ms. Marilyn Garry, Ms. Maij Lightner, Ms. Chris Montaro, Ms. Myma Morris and Ms. Joanne Van Den Beig. I am also grateful to Craig Taggett for making automation of the cold-pressor apparatus possible, and providing the necessary repairs when needed. Finally, I would like to thank my husband Dale, for his unending patience, encouragement, and support. Gloria Haddad Taggett ii Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGMENTS.................................................................................. ii LIST OF TABLES.............................................................................................. vi LIST OF FIGURES........................................................................................... vii CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION.................................................................................... i History of Hypnosis ........................................................................ 1 The Modem Period and Mesmer ......................................................... 1 The Nancy School and Its Influence .............................................. 3 The Freudian Influence on Hyponosis ................................................ 5 The Blending of Medical and Mental Health Applications Under a Common Approach .......................................... 8 Cycles in the History of Hypnosis ................................................. 10 Professional Milestones in the History of Hypnosis ....................................................................................... 13 Summary of Prevalent Historical Explanations of Hypnosis .................................................................. 14 The Post-Modem Period and Investigation of Hypnosis .................................................................. 16 Post-Modem Translations o f Paris and Nancy Perspectives on Hypnosis ....................................................... 19 Conclusions on the Historical Perspectives .................................... 21 Empirical Underpinnings Supporting Varying Perspectives on Hypnosis .................................................................. 24 The Development of Hypnotic Susceptibility Scales ................................................................................................ 24 Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission. Table o f Contents—Continued CHAPTER Empirical Studies Relating Subject Characteristics and Hypnotizability ..................................................................................