Effects of Posthypnotic Suggestion on Perceived Egocentric Distance

Abstract

The effects of posthypnotic suggestion on the perception of egocentric distance were evaluated by two methods, one direct and the other indirect. The direct method was the verbal report of the perceived distance of the stimulus. The indirect method used a measure based on apparent concomitant motion of the stimulus with a lateral movement of the head. The indirect method, unlike the direct method, has been shown to be insensitive to cognitive biases. Two highly trained hypnotic observers received posthypnotic suggestions to see a point of light at approximately 2, 4, or 6 ft (61, 122, or 183 cm) from themselves. For each suggested distance the light was physically at 2, 4, or 6 ft. As a control, trials were completed using these same physical distances without the posthypnotic suggestions. Nine experimental trials, one for each combination of suggested distance and physical distance, constituted a trial set. One observer completed three sets, and the other completed two sets. It was found that the posthypnotic suggestions affected the direct but not the indirect measures of the perceived distances of the light.