How effortless is responding to suggestions?

Involuntary, effortless responding is thought to be a key marker of responding to hypnotic suggestion (Bowers, 1982), and has been referred to as the classic suggestion effect (Weitzenhoffer, 1980). However, there is evidence of regulation of hypnotic responses, and the demonstration of active attention-demanding attempts to fulfill the requirements of hypnotic suggestions (Lynn, Rhue & Weekes, 1990). This talk will assess the evidence for effortless responding under suggestion.

After completing his DPhil in Experimental Psychology at the University of Sussex in 2005, Dr Parris went on to post docs positions at the University of Exeter and the University of Oxford. He joined Bournemouth University in 2008 where he has further developed his work on frontal lobe functions, attentional control in hypnosis and suggestion, and in the investigation of the symptom of inattention.