Motivation and Post-Hypnotic Effect

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Abstract
On first inspection, there may seem to be little difference between a simple experimental post-hypnotic suggestion (p.h.s.) and a simple therapeutic post-hypnotic suggestion. The difference is not so much between the form of the experimental and the form of the therapeutic p.h.s., but between the patterns of behavioural tendencies on which the experimental and the therapeutic post-hypnotic suggestions are respectively superimposed. The experimental p.h.s. is superimposed on the behavioural tendencies dictated by the subject's views of the experiment, and his motives probably often include a wish to “perform well”. The experimental subject will seldom have strong motivation to disobey the hypnotist. In the therapeutic setting the situation is entirely different; the therapeutic p.h.s. is frequently superimposed on strong preexisting conscious or sub-conscious tendencies which run counter to the acceptance of the suggestion.

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