What is Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale?
A standardized assessment tool used in research to measure an individual's responsiveness to hypnosis.
The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale (SHSS) is the most widely used research instrument for measuring hypnotic responsiveness. Developed at Stanford University in the 1950s and 1960s by Andre Weitzenhoffer and Ernest Hilgard, it provides a standardized way to assess how readily someone responds to hypnotic suggestions.
The scale consists of a series of suggestions given during a standardized hypnotic induction, with each suggestion testing a different type of response. Simple suggestions (like arm lowering or moving hands together) are presented first, followed by increasingly challenging ones (like hallucinating a mosquito or experiencing post-hypnotic amnesia). Each successfully experienced suggestion earns a point, producing a score that represents hypnotic susceptibility.
Different versions of the scale exist. Form A is the original version, while Forms B and C serve as alternate forms for retesting. The Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility is an adaptation allowing group administration. Scores generally range from 0-12, with the population roughly following a normal distribution—most people score in the middle range, with fewer at the very high or very low ends.
The SHSS has been valuable for hypnosis research by providing consistent, comparable measurements across studies. However, it's important to note that research susceptibility doesn't perfectly predict real-world hypnosis benefits. Many people with moderate scores achieve excellent results with audio programs and repeated practice.