EEG ALPHA-HYPNOTIZABILITY CORRELATIONS - REVIEW

The literature indicated that the simple .alpha.-hypnotizability correlation does not exist in the general human population. When such correlations were found, they were usually due to complex patterns which resulted in non-representative subject [S] pools when Ss were non-naive volunteers. When Ss were invited to participate in experiments, significant correlations were not found. The implications of these conclusions were: the research on the relationship between EEG .alpha. and hypnotizability can now center on describing the mechanisms by which volunteer samples yield such correlations; researchers should be aware that Ss selection methods can be the primary determinants of significant results; and experiments based on the assumption that there is no .alpha.-hypnotizability correlation in the population can yield information on the differences in cognitive ability between high and low hypnotizables.