Use of hypnosis as an aid to eyewitness memory

Abstract

72 hypnotically susceptible undergraduates observed a videotape of a simulated bank robbery. One week later, Ss were interviewed in 1 of 3 conditions: hypnotized, relaxed, or waking. Half of the Ss in each of these groups received imagery instructions; the remainder were given guided memory instructions. Each S answered 47 questions, including 5 misleading ones, about both the video event and the context of the viewing room. Ss also were offered a photo identification task. Results show that overall recall accuracy for both the video and live events was high. Hypnosis had no positive effect on recall, nor were hypnotized witnesses more susceptible to misleading information. The type of memory instruction interacted with recall condition. This interaction differed for the video and live aspects of the event. Rated confidence on photo choice was positively related to both accuracy of choice and amount recalled. (39 ref) (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2025 APA, all rights reserved)