There's a test called the Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale that
measures subjects ability to be hypnotized. There are lots of
references to this online, but I haven't been able to find anyplace
that actually lists the questions on the test. I'm looking for the
test itself.

Thanks,

Porkribs

Hi Porkribs!

In July 2001 Scientific American did a feature article on hypnosis and
in it they talk about the Stanford Susceptibility Test. 
Unfortunately, Scientific American does not offer free online access
to its archives, but I have a copy in front of me here so I'll pull
out the relevant details for you.

The Stanford Susceptibility Test is not a list of questions; it is a
series of exercises performed with an experienced hypnotist who
assesses your suggestibility to certain tasks while in state of
hypnosis.  There are 12 tasks ranging from pulling apart your
interlocked fingers to hallucinating the presence of a buzzing fly.
Item number 12 tests your susceptibility to post-hypnotic amnesia. The
hypnotist would ask you to forget what has just happened during the
session.

The test is scored as follows:
0-4 is considered low hypnotizable.
5-7 is medium
8-12 is high

If you’re interested in Hypnosis, the article is really interesting.
Six SA staffers volunteered to be hypnotized and related their
experience in a sidebar. The article itself examines the scientific
evidence around the phenomenon and clarifies the truths from the
myths.

"The Truth and the Hype of Hypnosis,"  Michael R. Nash. Scientific
American (July 2001) p 47.

You can probably pick up a copy at the library or purchase the actual
article here:
http://www.sciam.com/


The below site lists and describes the Stanford test, along with
several other tests that are used to assess one's ability to be
hypnotized.

"Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scales: This test requires you to
complete 12 exercises that range from closing your eyes and falling
forward (or backward) to imagining your hand to be so heavy that you
can't hold it up (or lift it). The last couple of exercises test your
response to "posthypnotic suggestions." You might, for example, find
yourself changing chairs spontaneously whenever the therapist taps his
fingers after the test. Most people can perform the first few
exercises; only a few can do them all. The farther you get, the
greater your chances of being hypnotized. "

http://health.yahoo.com/health/alternative_medicine/alternative_therapies/Hypnotherapy/

So, that should answer your question. It looks like you  really can't
"assess" your own susceptibility by taking an online written test. It
all has to be done with an actual hypnotist.

If anything I've said isn't clear to you, feel free to ask for a
clarification.
 
-K~
Search terms used:  hypnotist Stanford exercises

---

Request for Answer Clarification by porkribs-ga on 07 Jul 2002 17:22 PDT

Hi, Knowledge-Seeker. I appreciate your pointer to the Scientific
American article -- I'd read it, and in fact my interest in that
article was what prompted me to ask for the full list of questions in
the test, which weren't provided in the article. The second article
you pointed me to is quite interesting, but still doesn't answer my
VERY SPECIFICALLY-WORDED question, which said: "I haven't been able to
find anyplace that actually lists the questions on the test. I'm
looking for the test itself." I was going to give one star for the
non-answer, but wanted to give you a chance to actually answer my
question (or cancel your answer, if you can't find the list of
questions and if that's possible).

Sorry, knowledge-seeker -- it's just not what I asked. :(

Porkribs.

---

Clarification of Answer by knowledge_seeker-ga on 07 Jul 2002 18:19 PDT

hi!

Ok..wow..I guess I was confused by your term "questions" which led me
to believe you were looking for some kind of written test, as opposed
to "tasks" which is what the test actually consists of. I do
appreciate you asking for clarification rather than give up hope here
:-)

No problem. Let me do some more checking around and see what I can dig
up. --

-K~

---

Clarification of Answer by knowledge_seeker-ga on 08 Jul 2002 07:40 PDT

Hey Porkribs, 

I've found what you're looking for!
 
The table below, and the excerpt following it are from the pdf
document entitled, "The Measurement of Hypnotic Ability" at this link
-

http://www-psychology.concordia.ca/department/Laurence/hypnosis/measures.pdf

The list provided is from the Form C which is the most current and
commonly used version of the test.  It is from Table 4 on page 20 of
the document.

Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale: Form C (SHSS:C) [from E.
Hilgard, 1965].
***************************
1. Hand Lowering
2. Moving Hands Apart 
3. Mosquito Hallucination 
4. Taste Hallucination 
5. Arm Rigidity
6. Dream 
7. Age Regression 
8. Arm Immobilization 
9. Anosmia to Ammonia 
10. Hallucinated Voice 
11. Negative Hallucination 
12. Amnesia
**************************

Now understand that the exact form these exercises take may vary - 
 
"Some investigators have modified certain items of SHSS:C for various
reasons. In the first author's research, for instance, the Anosmia to
Ammonia item has been removed…In addition, the age regression
instructions to re-experience Grades 5 and 2 has been replaced by a
suggestion to regress to the age of five years old. "  [from the above
document]

Form C has replaced the Form A & B combination originally written in
1959. The above document explains that in more detail. The website
below gives a little more explanation of the processes used in some of
the exercises in the older version of the test.  I thought it might be
useful in helping to clarify what some of the above exercise titles
mean.

" The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale is generally divided into
two test-taking sessions. The first session, called Form A, is
designed as a group test, and has twelve components on which subjects
are scored.

For example, motor responses are carried out automatically as a result
of direct suggestion, with loss of volitional control over movement.
Items representing this division include: eye closure on command;
inability to separate one's hands after being told that they are glued
together; and inability to open one's eyes when directed to, after
being instructed that they must remain shut.

Form B is a more advanced measure, testing subjects individually and
calling for a more interactive hypnotic session. The subject is asked
to imagine a sweet, and then a sour taste. To "pass" the test, the
subject must indicate tasting both flavors, and make the appropriate
involuntary facial expressions (grimacing, etc). The subject is told
to inhale an odorless liquid (which is actually strong ammonia). To
"pass", the subject must not react to the odor. Subjects who have
normal olfactory capabilities and are seeking to deceive the
experimenter find this particular subtest impossible to simulate. This
test also has twelve items. "

http://gaeb.teatime.com/grh/hypnosis.html

BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTES:

A. M. Weitzenhoffer and E. R. Hilgard, Stanford Hypnotic
Susceptibility Scale, Form C (Consulting Psychologists. Press, Palo
Alto, California., 1962).

I 'm glad I was able to find this information for you. Happy
Hypnotizing!

-K~

Search Terms:

I searched for "Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale" within all of
the professional journals here:
http://www.psychwatch.com/hypnosis_journals.htm

Hi, knowledge-seeker. Thanks VERY much for your additional research.
Your comment was right -- I should have called them "tasks" instead of
"questions". Your answer still isn't exactly what I'm looking for, in
that it doesn't contain the exact tasks, only their titles. (It's sort
of like if I asked for the text of a book and instead got the chapter
titles). But you found way more then I did, and I'm becoming fairly
convinced that the full information just isn't on the Web, so I'll
give you four stars, pay out, and close this. I am still looking for
the full description of the tasks, though, so if you (or anyone else
who's reading this) happens to find them, please let me know.

Thanks,

Porkribs