W.14.93A

Title: Examining Inter-individual differences in hypnosis from cerebral and psychological perspectives
Presenters: Landry Mathieu, Ogez  David,  Jerbi Karim
Venue: Audytorium Maximum - Small Hall / Aula Mała
Time: 20- 30 minute presentation during 7th pararell sesion- 14.06.2024 12:30-14:00

Language: EN

Abstract:

Individuals display significant variability in their ability to respond effectively to hypnotic suggestions. A prevailing view posits that this variability reflects complex interactions between a core psychological ability and secondary ones. Our research explores this proposal by leveraging the Harvard Group Scale for Hypnotic Susceptibility—a standardized tool for measuring variations in hypnotic responsiveness—across two studies. In our first study (N=40), we examined the neural dynamics of hypnotic susceptibility using electroencephalography (EEG) across pre- and post-hypnotic induction. We trained a linear classifier to distinguish between individuals with low and high susceptibility, revealing that both local and global neuronal features are indicative of hypnotic susceptibility. Consistent with the idea that hypnotic susceptible reflects a latent trait, we also found that arrhythmic EEG activity occurring outside of hypnosis emerged as the top neuronal feature for differentiating high and low hypnotic susceptible individuals. This outcome implies that hypnotic susceptibility relates to the resting-state cortical excitation and inhibition ratio. In our second study (N=681), we investigated discrete patterns of hypnotic responsiveness based on the factorial structure underlying hypnotic susceptibility. This analysis aligns with the idea that hypnotic responding rests on a central component supported by secondary ones. We then examined discrete response patterns using this factorial structure. Our findings identified a distinct group of high hypnotic susceptible individuals, yet no group exclusively encompassed low susceptibility, thereby challenging the notion of hypnotic inaptitude. These results underscore the multifaceted nature of hypnotic phenomena. We advocate for a nuanced understanding of hypnotic susceptibility, in clinical settings, emphasizing the importance of individual differences in treatment strategies.