Memory and Hypnosis: A Comparative Analysis of Guided Memory, Cognitive Interview, and Hypnotic Hypermnesia

Abstract

This study compared the relative efficacy of four popular methods of memory retrieval: hypnosis, “Guided Memory,” “Cognitive Interview,” and spontaneous free recall. These retrieval methods, tested in an academic setting, were paired with different intake methods, utilizing audio, visual, audio-visual, and reading inputs. All interview sessions, including hypnosis induction, were conducted individually and only free recall (as opposed to forced recall) techniques were used by the interviewers. The number of subjects' correct responses was converted to a percentage of the total of potentially remembered items. These data, through the use of a Treatment ö Block ANOVA, showed a statistically significant difference between intake methods but a nonsignificant difference between recall methods, suggesting that guided memory and cognitive interview techniques may be as effective as hypnosis in short term free recall. This study indicates that when contributing cognitive features are extracted, hypnosis by itself does not lead to further memory improvement Confabulations and distortions, though present in any type of reconstructed memory, are minimal when force, pressure, or persuasion is absent from the retrieval process.