Instructional Set, Deep Relaxation, and Growth Enhancement: a Pilot Study

Abstract

This study provides experimental evidence that instructional set can influence access to altered states of consciousness. Fifteen male subjects were randomly assigned to three groups, each of which received the same autogenic biofeedback training in hand temperature control, but each group received a different attitudinal set. The positive set instructions encouraged the subjects to believe that they could attain voluntary control of hand temperature. The negative instructions discouraged the subjects' belief in these abilities, while the neutral set group served as a control for some interpersonal aspects of the experimenter-subject communication. The effect of instructional set on autogenic biofeedback training was significant at the .01 level. The positive set group had significantly higher starting temperatures than the other two groups as well as higher finishing temperatures. It also demonstrated greater start-to-finish temperature increases. The value of such training for growth enhancement is discussed.