Modification of the Word-Recognition Threshold by Hypnotic Suggestion and Monetary Reward

Abstract

The effectiveness of hypnotic suggestion, monetary reward, and a control condition (no special incentive) in reducing the recognition threshold for common English words was measured, using 3 groups of 11 Ss. Threshold reductions were obtained ultimately under all 3 conditions, although the reductions occurred sooner with the two incentive conditions. Since, for all three groups, initial thresholds were apparently inflated by Ss expectancy for hypnosis, the subsequent threshold reductions may reflect merely the termination of this expectancy and not the direct influence of the incentive conditions. The interpretation is offered that hypnotic or monetary incentives for threshold reduction may be relatively ineffective when Ss operate initially near optimal levels.