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The present study is a further investigation of the hypothesis proposed by Reid and Curtsinger (1968) that hypnosis involves changes in peripheral vasomotor responses and skin temperature. 20 male Ss, screened for hypnotic susceptibility, participated in 2 experimental sessions. Each S was hypnotized in 1 session and simply given instructions to relax in the other session. Peripheral skin temperature and pulse volume were continuously monitored through-out each session. The resulting data were analyzed to determine the effects of hypnosis on these physiological measures. Under both conditions, a tendency for increased skin temperature and increased vasodilation was found. It was concluded that neutral hypnosis does not involve changes in these measures which are appreciably different from the changes associated with relaxation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

10 male Ss, screened for hypnotic susceptibility, were hypnotized in 1 experimental session and given “method acting” instructions in another experimental session. Suggestions designed to increase and to decrease peripheral skin temperature, which was continuously monitored throughout each session, were administered under both conditions. The resulting data were analyzed to determine the effects of hypnosis, suggestions, and time. A significant time effect and a significant hypnotic-time interaction were found, but there was no difference due to the specific suggestions. When hypnotized, Ss tended to maintain a constant temperature throughout the suggestion period, while, when given “method acting” instructions, peripheral temperature tended to increase. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]