Dichotic Listening and Hypnotizability: Variability in Ear Preference

Abstract

28 right-handed, English-speaking subjects were administered two tests, Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale-Form C and a whole-word dichotic listening test. The latter was given in both waking and hypnotized states. Subjects of low hypnotizability showed the usual right-ear advantage in both waking and hypnotized states. Subjects of high hypnotizability showed a different pattern of ear advantage: half of the group-showed left-ear advantage in the waking state but all showed right-ear advantage in the hypnotized state. Results are interpreted to show that for subjects of high hypnotizability, the narrowed attention characteristic of hypnosis produces the expected lateralizing effect. Subjects of low hypnotizability show a consistent right-ear preference in both the hypnotized and nonhypnotized conditions. The results suggest that much of the atypical ear preference shown in dichotic listening experiments may be associated with the variability in cognitive states found in persons of high hypnotic susceptibility.