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ABSTRACT:
In the present study, we compared directly the efficacy of two types of hypnotic induction instructions on a forced-choice clairvoyance task in a sample of participants selected for their medium to high absorption or transliminality scores. The first kind of instructions (ESP) emphasized the capacity to visualize a remote picture, freeing the mind from any thinking activity. The second kind of instructions, the out-of-body experience (OBE), emphasized leaving the body and allowing the mind to go where the target was presented. The two instructions were applied in a within-subject design to control individual differences better. In the 2 sessions of 10 trials each, the mean hit scores were: first session: M = 3.33 (SD = .65); second session: M = 2.41 (SD = .79). The mean hit score of the first session was well above MCE, π = .60; CI: .28-.91; contrast: Δπ = .10. No substantial differences were obtained with the two kinds of instructions. These data replicate the findings obtained by Del Prete and Tressoldi (2005), supporting the hypothesis that a combination of hypnosis and special induction instructions tailored for the ESP task facilitate the performance in participants with medium to high absorption or transliminality scores.
The role of hypnosis as a mediator for ESP has been documented (see Stanford & Stein's 1994 meta-analysis). Even if it is well established that hypnosis facilitates ESP better than normal awakening or self-relaxation, little, if any, systematic research on the role of specific instructions to induce hypnosis has been carried out. Cardena (2006,2007) repeatedly underlined that enhanced psi phenomena depend on a trait (high hypnotizability), a state (the hypnotic context), or an interaction between the two.
In this paper we manipulated the state, comparing directly the efficacy of two kinds of instructions. The first, which we named ESP, was characterized by the emphasis on the capacity to visualize a remote picture while freeing the mind from any thinking activity. The second, which we named OBE, was characterized by instructions to leave the body and allow the mind to go to the place where the target was presented (see details below). The two instructions were applied by using a within-subject design to control individual differences better. To maintain the personality traits under control, we selected...