Effects of a traditional trance induction on response to 'hypnotist-centered' versus 'subject-centered' test suggestions

82 randomized subjects (Ss) were exposed either to a traditional trance induction procedure emphasizing relaxation and passivity or to a noinduction (control) treatment. Next, half of the trance induction Ss and half of the control Ss were tested on a 'hypnotist-centered' scale in which the hypnotist declares that the suggested effects are occurring (e.g., '[Your arm is] weightless and rising in the air'). The other half of the trance induction and control Ss were tested on a 'subject-centered' scale of suggestibility in which the test suggestions ask Ss to use their own thinking and imagining to create the suggested effects (e.g., 'Think of a strong stream of water pushing your hand up'. The results showed that a traditional trance induction is useful with a 'hypnotist-centered' scale but not with a 'subject-centered' scale: When the test suggestions were worded in a hypnotist-declares-it-is-happening way, the trance induction raised responsiveness but when they were worded in a subject-is-asked-to-make-it-happen way, the control Ss were as responsive as those Ss who had received the trance induction.