Article Id 239 Issue 37

Volume 14, Number 1, Year 2012




Classical Test Theory and Item Response Theory for Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility with African American College Students


Ling-Lun (Crystal) Chien, Ph.D., Marty Sapp, Ed.D.




Hypnotizability is not an all-or-nothing construct; rather, it is an individual’s reactions
to being hypnotized, and this may fall on a continuum (1). In addition, even thought
hypnotizability is relatively stable, it is also influenced by the client’s rapport with the
hypnotherapist, the client’s expectations and beliefs, and other social or psychological
factors (2). The purpose of this project focused on assessing hypnotizability by using the
HGSH:A with African American college students. By analyzing Harvard Group Scale of
Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A (HGSHS:A) by both Classical Test Theory and Item Response
Theory, results from both measurement models were consistent. Both measurement
models indicated that items 2 (eye closure) and 7 (moving hand together) were good items,
and item 9 (experiencing of a fly) and 11 (post-hypnotic suggestion) were bad items for
this African American College student sample. Based on the eleven variables of HGSHS:A,
through principal components analysis, there were three factors: direct suggestion, motor
challenge, and perceptual cognitive. However, the reliability of this study was low which
may due to African American college students appear to have expectancies for hypnotic
responding to was to occur without using techniques to assist responding such as imagining
and thinking along with suggestions.



Keywords: Hypnotizability, African American college students, cultural differences
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