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American Journal of Clinical

Hypnosis
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The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale

for Adults
a
Arlene H. Morgan Ph.D. & Josephine R. Hilgard M.D., Ph.D.
a

a
Stanford University , USA
Published online: 22 Sep 2011.

To cite this article: Arlene H. Morgan Ph.D. & Josephine R. Hilgard M.D., Ph.D. (1978) The
Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults, American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, 21:2-3,
134-147, DOI: 10.1080/00029157.1978.10403968

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 THEAMERICANJOURNAL OF CLINICAL HYPNOSIS
Volume 21, Number 2 & 3, October 1978 / January 1979
Prinred i n U . S . A .

The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults

ARLENE H. MORGAN, Ph.D. and JOSEPHINE R. HILGARD, M.D., Ph.D.

Stanford University

A short scale for the measurement of hypnotic responsiveness was constructed

for use with patients for whom the standard scales might prove too long, too
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uninteresting, or too tiring. Five items were selected: moving hands together, a
dream, age regression, a posthypnotic suggestion, and posthypnotic amnesia. A
sample of 11 1 university undergraduates, selected from the full range of scores
(0- 10) on a shortened 10-point version of the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic
Susceptibility, Form A, was given the 5-point clinical scale and the 12-point
Stanford Hypnotic Scale, Form C in balanced order. There were no order
effects. A reliability estimate for the clinical scale was obtained from the
product-moment correlation between the total scores on the two scales. This
correlation was .72. The clinical scale requires approximately 20 minutes for
administration.

The original Stanford Hypnotic Suscep-
tibility Scales were developed for research
purposes and, consequently, were made
long enough to provide measures useful in
correlational analysis, at the same time
sampling a variety of hypnotic perform-
ances. Some features of the scales make
them less serviceable than they might
otherwise have been, especially their
length; in other cases the degree of mobility
and muscular effort involved make them
less suitable for those hospitalized patients
for whom hypnosis may be recommended.
In experience with patients who often
had impediments to sustained motor activ-
ity, a scale was needed that would have at
once two characteristics: first, that it would
be short enough not to tire the patient, and,
I This investigation has been aided by research
grant MH-03859 from the National Institute of Men-
tal Health.
134
second, that it would tap the kinds of
processes most likely to be used in therapy.
Although there is a common ability
reflected in hypnotic responsiveness, there
are also special abilities that may influence
the selected methods of therapy, such as the
availability of imagery, the ability to enjoy
age regression, and posthypnotic re-
sponsiveness.
T H E STANFORDHYPNOTICC L I N I C A L
SCALE(SHCS: ADULT)
The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for
use with adults described here has been
presented in full by Hilgard and Hilgard
( 1975, pages 209-22 1). A parallel clinical
scale for use with children (SHCS: Child) is
described by Morgan and Hilgard (1979).
The five items selected for the adult scale
were modified from those already tested in
the earlier scales, Stanford Hypnotic Sus-
 STANFORD SCALE FOR ADULTS 135

ceptibility Scales, Forms A, B, and C
(Weitzenhoffer and Hilgard, 1959, 1962).
The items are: moving hands (an easy
motor item, to introduce the patient to re-
sponse to suggestions), a dream within
hypnosis (often aiding in the interpretation
of the patient’s attitude toward hypnosis),
age regression (commonly useful in
therapy), a posthypnotic suggestion (possi-
bly related to a capacity for continuation of
the hypnotic experience), and posthypnotic
amnesia (sometimes useful to turn attention
temporarily away from unpleasant
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so that the data analyses to be reported are
based on the total sample.
Four items (moving hands, dream, age
regression, and amnesia) are common to
both the clinical scale, SHCS: Adult and to
the longer Stanford scale, SHSS:C; the
Harvard group scale, HGSHS:A, contains a
posthypnotic suggestion item (touching an
ankle at a pencil tap) for comparison with
the clinical scale’s posthypnotic suggestion
of coughing or clearing the throat at a pen-
cil tap.
Score distributions for the clinical scale,

memories). The items were slightly mod-
ified from their original form in order to
reflect the special purposes of the scale.
A sample of 111 university u n -
dergraduates was selected from the full
range of scores (0-10) on a shortened 10-
point version of the Harvard Group Scale of
Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A
(HGSHS:A) (Shor and Orne, 1962). Next,
individual sessions of the 5-point clinical
scale (SHCS: Adult), and the 12-point
Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale,
Form C (SHSS:C) (Weitzenhoffer and Hil-
gard, 1962) were administered in balanced
order, 56 subjects receiving the shorter clin-
ical scale first, and 55 receiving the longer
Stanford scale first. There were no order
effects for any item nor for the total score,
SHCS: Adult are given in Table 1. The
means for male and female subjects were
not significantly different so that only totals
are reported. The percent passing each item
on SHCS: Adult and the parallel item from
SHSS:C (or HGS) is given in Table 2. In all
cases, the percent passing each item on the
two scales is not significantly different. The
contribution of each item to the total score
on the clinical scale, (SHCS: Adult) is
reflected in the biserial correlations. Be-
cause all are positive, it is clear that there is
a common factor throughout the scale.
A reliability estimate for the clinical
scale can be obtained from the product-
moment correlation between the total score
on this scale and the total score on SHSS:C.
This correlation was .72. The correspond-

TABLEI

STANFORD
HYPNOTIC
CLINICAL
SCALE(SHCS:ADULT)
NORMATIVE
DATA( N = 1 1 1)

Susceptibility Raw Number Percentage

Level Scores of Cases of Cases
High 5 14 12
4 28 25
Medium 3 26 23
2 15 14
Low I 15 14
0 13 12
Cases 111 100%
Mean 2.75
S.D. 1.56
 136 MORGAN A N D HILGARD

T A B L E2

PERCENT O F SUBJECTSPASSING EACHITEM O F T H E STANFORD HYPNOTICSus-

C E P T I B I L I T YSCALEFORMC (SHSS:C) A N D OF T H E STANFORD HYPNOTIC
CLIN-
I C A L SCALE (SHCS: ADULT)A N D CONTRIBUTION O F EACHITEM TO T H E TOTAL
SCOREO F T H E C L I N I C ASCALE
L ( N = 1 1 1)

Correlation with Total

Percent Passing Each Item Score minus this item,
Item SHSS:C SHCS: Adult SHCS: Adult Biserial r's
Moving hands 84 81 .57
Dream 69 60 .77
Age regression 67 66 * .54
Posthypnotic
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suggestion 32% 27 .36

Amnesia 44 40 .6 1
* The posthypnotic item is from the Harvard Group Scale rather than from the Stanford
Scale.

ing correlation between the four items
common to both the clinical scale and the
SHSS:C was 2 1 . Thus the clinical scale
appears to be a reliable estimate of hypnotic
responsiveness as measured by the longer
standardized procedures, and valid to the
extent that SHSS:C is valid.
The moving hands and dream items are
scored in the clinical scale exactly as in the
SHSS:C. T h e age regression item in
SHSS:C, however, is scored on the basis of
a clear handwriting change in one of two
regressed ages. The writing of one's name
was eliminated from the item in the clinical
scale due to the awkwardness of writing for
patients in bed, and also because the subjec-
tive aspects of regression suffice to confirm
the reality of what is reported. Thus, age
regression is scored in the new scale on the
basis of what the patient himself reports as
his experience.
The criterion for passing amnesia (recal-
ling no more than three of the twelve items
of SHSS:C) was modified to a recall of no
more than two (of five) items of SHCS:
Adult. This criterion also produced com-
parable results.
The posthypnotic suggestion item was
the one that differed most in content be-
tween the two tests. However, roughly a
third of the subjects passed the item in both
instances.
The clinical scale requires approximately
20 minutes for administration.
O B S E R V A T I O BASED
NS ON EXPERIENCE
WITHT H E SHCS: ADULTI N T H E TREAT-
M E N T OF PATIENTS
We have used this shorter scale in clini-
cal work with patients. The group of pa-
tients is not large, but the observations are
indicative of how well the scale is working,
and of how useful it may be when larger
numbers have been tested in the course of
treatment.
Patients show a positive response to this
introduction to hypnosis. Although we now
know that relaxation is not essential to hyp-
notic induction, it can be beneficial for pa-
tients who are but slightly responsive to
hypnosis. The use of repeated relaxation
suggestions in the course of induction has
the advantage that relaxation is something
that many patients have to learn to achieve.
This is particularly true of pain patients
where anxiety connected with the pain, in
addition to the pain itself, needs to be
treated.
 STANFORD SCALE FOR ADULTS
Several comments may be made on the
choice of items for the scale. For example,
the response to the direct suggestion of
moving hands provides an easy introduc-
tion to ideomotor action. If it is responded
to without difficulty, it permits various arm
levitation techniques to be used in later ses-
sions. The dream in hypnosis serves two
purposes, both that of indicating hypnotic
responsiveness and serving as a kind of
projective technique for telling something
of the patient’s potential for utilizing hyp-
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nosis in treatment. Regression to an earlier
experience shows capability for openness to
a widely used therapeutic practice.
Although objective responses to test
items correlate with subjective responses,
subjective estimates give evidence of the
reality of the age regression, and the degree
of involuntariness of the posthypnotic re-
sponse. Sometimes individual reactions aid
in forming judgments as to the validity of a
test measure, and corrections can be made
as one becomes experienced. For example,
one patient refused to do the regression be-
cause of an unhappy childhood.
It may be that the response to the post-
hypnotic suggestion will bear upon the pos-
sible endurance of what has been achieved
in hypnosis. When more records are avail-
able, we shall be able to determine to what
extent the tested posthypnotic responsive-
ness and the tested amnesia may be useful
in guiding therapy that is directed to the
special problem of making the effects of
therapy endure.
IMPLICATIONS FOR THERAPEUTIC
PRACTICE
I N THE USE OF HYPNOSIS
The success of hypnotic treatment in the
relief of pain has been found to be corre-
lated with the measured hypnotic respon-
siveness of the patient whenever it has been
studied. The relationship is probabilistic
137
only, and patients with low scores may still
benefit from therapy. A low score may well
constitute a greater challenge to t h e
therapist who must adapt the therapy and
build on the minimal abilities possessed by
the patient. More information is needed re-
lating hypnotizability to therapeutic success
in hypnotherapy generally.
Scores on individual items, along with
their subjective connotations as interpreted
clinically, are useful in guiding the strategy
of therapy to be used. Patients with equal
average scores may require quite different
approaches.
Much remains to be done. If we are to lift
hypnosis beyond the stage of a crude em-
piricism, we need to be careful in our diag-
noses, as quantitative as possible in our
evaluations, and able to select from among
available therapeutic practices those best
adapted to the individual patient.
Josephine R. Hilgard, M.D., Ph.D.
Stanford University
Psychology Department
Stanford, CA 94305
REFERENCES
HILGARD, E. R . , & HILGARD, J. R. Hypnosis in the
relief’ of pain. Los Altos, California: William
Kaufmann, Inc., 1975.
MORGAN, A. M., & HILGARD, J . R. The Stanford
Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Children. American
Journal of Clinical Hypnosis (this issue).
SHOR,R. E., & ORNE, E. C. The Harvard Group
Scale of Hypnotic Sirsceptibility, Form A . Palo
Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press,
Inc., 1962.
WEITZENHOFFER, A. M., & HILGARD, E. R. Stan-
,ford Hypnotic Sitsceptibility Scale, Forms A and
B. Palo Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists
Press, Inc., 1959.
WEITZEKHOFFER, A. M., & HILGARD, E. R. Sran-
,ford Hypnotic Sirsceptibility Scale, Form C . Pal o
Alto, California: Consulting Psychologists Press,
Inc., 1962.
 138
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ARLENE H. MORGAN, Ph.D.
Arlene H. Morgan was born in Iowa and
studied journalism for two years at Drake
University. She moved to California with her
family in 1960 and began work with E.
R. Hilgard at the Laboratory of Hypnosis
Research at Stanford University, first as sec-
retary and eventually as Research Associate.
She completed undergraduate work and a
Master's in Psychology at San Jose State
College, and a Ph.D. at Stanford in 1972.
During 1975-77 s h e worked with
Josephine R . Hilgard on the control of pain
and anxiety in children with cancer at the
Stanford Children's Hospital Oncology Unit.
S h e is currently a Senior Lecturer in
Psychology at the University of Queensland.
Brisbane, Australia.
MORGAN A N D HILGARD
JOSEPHINE R. HILGARD. M.D., Ph.D.
Josephine R . Hilgard is now Clinical Profes-
sor of Pyschiatry (Emeritus) in the Stanford
University School of Medicine, where she
joined the faculty of the Department of
Psychiatry in 1947. Concurrently she is a
Research Associate in the Department of
Psychology, connected with the Laboratory
of Hypnosis Research where the hypnotic
clinical scales for adults and children were
developed. S h e received a P h . D . in
psychology under Arnold Gesell at Yale in
1933 and an M.D. at Stanford in 1940. after
which she completed psychoanalytic training
in Chicago and Washington. Before return-
ing to Stanford she headed the Child Guid-
ance Clinic at the Children's Hospital in San
Francisco. Currently, under a grant from the
National Cancer Institute she is completing a
three-year study of the use of hypnosis i n the
relief of pain and anxiety in children with
cancer. Her publications include Persoricility
( i t d Hyptinsis: A Sticcly of Imcigiticiti\.ci In-
\*ol\wnetit ( 1970) and Hyptiosis it1 tlic Rclicf
oj'Ptiin (with E. R . Hilgard) (1975).
 STANFORD SCALE FOR ADULTS 139

Appendix
Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for Adults (SHCS: ADULT)2
(Patient may be seated in any kind of chair with arms, or may be in bed,
sitting or lying down.)

Introductory Remarks
In a moment I shall suggest to you a number of experiences which you may or
may not have and a number of effects which you may or may not produce. Not
everyone can have the same experiences or produce the same effects when hyp-
notized. People vary greatly. We need to know which experiences you can have
so we can build on them and know how to make hypnosis best serve you. Please
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remember always to respond to what you are feeling, so we can use hypnosis in
ways that are natural for you.

Induction
Please close your eyes and listen carefully to what I say. As we go on, you will
find yourself becoming more and more relaxed. . . . Begin to let your whole body
relax. . . . Let all the muscles go limp. . . . Now you will be able to feel special
muscle groups relaxing even more. If you pay attention to your right foot, you can
feel the muscles in it relax . . . feel the muscles in the right lower leg relaxing . . .
in the right upper leg relaxing. . . . Now on the left side concentrate on the way
that the left foot is relaxing . . . and the left leg, how the lower part and the upper
part are both relaxing more . . . Next, you'll be able to feel the muscles of the
right hand relaxing, the right lower arm and the right upper arm relaxing. . . .
Now direct your attention to your left hand. Let it relax, let the lower arm and
the upper arm relax. . . . As you have become relaxed, your body begins to feel
rather heavy. Just think of the chair (bed) as being strong, sink into it, and let it
hold you . . . Your shoulders . . . neck . . . and head, more and more relaxed. . . .
The muscles of your scalp and forehead, just let them relax even more. . . .
All of this time you have been settling deeper and more comfortably into the chiar
(bed).
Your mind has relaxed, too, along with your body. It is possible to set all
worries aside. Your mind is calm and peaceful. You are getting more and more
comfortable. . . . You will.continue to feel pleasantly relaxed as you continue to
listen to my voice. . . . Just keep your thoughts on what I am saying . . . more and
more deeply relaxed and perhaps drowsy but at no time will you have any trouble
hearing me. You will continue in this state of great relaxation until I suggest that it
is time for you to become more alert. . . . Soon I will begin to count from 1 to 20.
As I count, you will feel yourself going down further and further into this deeply
relaxed hypnotic state. You will be able to do all sorts of things that I suggest,
things that will be interesting and acceptable to you. You will be able to do them

' The Stanford Hypnotic Clinical Scale for adults and the Scoring Booklet are published by permission
of William Kaufman, Inc., from Hypnosis in the Re/ief ofpain by Ernest R. and Josephine R . Hilgard.
Copyright, 1975.
 140 MORGAN AND HILGARD

without breaking the pattern of complete relaxation that is gradually coming over
you. . . . 1 -you are becoming more deeply relaxed . . . 2 - down, down into a
deeper, tranquil state of mind . . . 3 -4 -more and more relaxed . . . 5 -6 -
7 -you are sinking deeper and deeper. Nothing will disturb you. You are finding
it easy just to listen to things that I say . . . 8 - 9 - 10 - halfway there . . .
always deeply relaxed . . . 11 - 12 - 13 - 14 - 15 - although deeply relaxed
you can hear me clearly. You will always hear me distinctly no matter how
hypnotized you are . . . 16 - 17 - 18 - deeply relaxed.
Nothing will disturb you . . . 19 - 20 - completely relaxed.
You can change your position any time you wish. Just be sure you remain
comfortable and relaxed.
You are very relaxed and pleasantly hypnotized. While you remain comforta-
bley listening to my words, I am going to help you learn more about how thinking
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about something affects what you do. Just experience whatever you can. Pay
close attention to what I tell you, and think about the things I suggest. Then let
happen whatever you find is happening, even if it surprises you a little. Just let it
happen by itself.
1. Moving hands together (or, if one arm is immobile, go to l a . Hand lower-
ing) All right, then . . . please hold both hands straight out in front of you,
palms facing inward, hands about a foot apart. Here, I’ll help you. (Take
hold of hands and position them about a foot apart.) Now I want you to
imagine a force attracting your hands toward each other, pulling them to-
gether. Do it any way that seems best to you - think of rubber bands
stretched from wrist to wrist, pulling your hands together, or imagine mag-
nets held in each hand pulling them together - the closer they get the
stronger the pull . . . As you think of this force pulling your hands together,
they will move together, slowly at first, but they will move closer together,
closer and closer together as though a force is acting on them . . . moving . . .
moving . . . closer, closer. . . .
(Allow ten seconds without jkrther suggestion, and note extent of motion. )
That’s fine. Everything is back to normal now. Just place your hands in their
resting position and relax.
(Score+ if hands move slowly toward each other, and are not more
than six inches apart at end of ten seconds.)
1a. Hand lowering (alternative to Moving hands together)
If one hand is immobile for any reason, we recommend substituting a hand
lowering suggestion, similar to that given as Item I in SHSS-C. The arm is
held straight out at shoulder height, with the palm of the hand up. The
suggestion is given to imagine something heavy in the hand pressing it down.
After a few suggestions of downward movement, if the arm is not completely
down, a 10-second wait is introduced. The item is passed if the hand has
lowered at least six inches by the end of the 10 seconds.
2. Dream
Now I am going to ask you to keep on relaxing, and this time you are going
to have a dream . . . a real dream . . . much like the kind you have when you
sleep at night. When I stop talking to you very shortly, you will begin to
dream. Any kind of dream may come. . . . Now it is as though you are falling
 STANFORD SCALE FOR ADULTS 141

asleep, deeper and deeper asleep. You can sleep and dream about anything
you want to. As soon as I stop talking, you will begin to dream. When I
speak to you again in a minute or so you will stop dreaming if you are still
dreaming, and you will listen to me just as you have been doing. If you stop
dreaming before I speak to you again, you will remain pleasantly and deeply
hypnotized. Now just sleep and have a dream.
(Allow 1 minute. Then say:)
The dream is over, but you can remember it very well and clearly, very
clearly. . . . I want you now to tell me about your dream while remaining
deeply hypnotized. Please tell me about your dream . . . right from the
beginning. Tell me all about it (Record verbatim.)
(Ifsubject has no dream:) That’s all right. Not everyone dreams.
( I f subject hesitates, or reports vaguely: probe for details. )
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Inquiry: How real would you say your dream was?

Termination: That’s all for the dream. Remain as deeply hypnotized as
you have been.
(Score + if subject has an experience comparable to a dream . . . not
just vague fleeting experiences or just feelings or thoughts. The
dream should show imagery, some reality, and not give evidence
of being under voluntary control.)
3. Age regression
Something very interesting is about to happen. In a little while you are going
back to a happy day in elementary school. If you had a choice to return to the
third, fourth, or fifth grade, would you prefer one of these to the other?
( I f y e s : )Which grade?
(If no preference, use fourth grade.)
All right then, I would like you now to think about when you were in the
(selected) grade of school, and in a little while, you are going to start to feel
like you are growing younger and smaller, going back to the time you were
in the (selected) grade. . . . I , you are going back into the past. It is no longer
(state present year), nor (state an earlier year), nor (state a still earlier year),
but much earlier . . . 2 , you are becoming much younger and smaller . . . in a
moment you will be back in the (selected) grade, on a very nice day. 3,
getting younger and younger, smaller and smaller all the time. Soon you will
be back in the (selected) grade, and you will feel an experience exactly as
you did once before on a nice day when you were in school. 4 , very soon you
will be there. . . . Once again a little boy (girl) in the (selected) grade. Soon
you will be right back there. 5 ! You are now a small boy (girl) in school. . . .
Where are you? . . . . What are you doing? . . . . Who is your teacher? . . . .
How old are you? . . . . What are you wearing?. . . . Who is with you? . . . .
....
(Ask additional questions as appropriate. Record answers. )
That’s fine . . . . Now you can grow up again. You are no longer in the
(selected) grade but getting older, growing up. You are now your correct
age, this is (current day and date), and you are in (locale of testing). You are
no longer a little boy (girl), but an adult, sitting in a chair (bed) deeply
hypnotized. How old are you? . . . . And what is today? . . . . Where are
 142 MORGAN A N D HILGARD

you? . . . . Fine, Today is (correct date) and you are (correct age) and this is
(name place where subject is being tested). Everything is back as it was.
Just continue to be comfortably relaxed. . .
(Postpone scoring unhl inquiry at end.)
4. Posthypnotic Suggestion (Clearing throat or Cough)
5 . Amnesia
Stay completely relaxed, but listen carefully to what I tell you next. In a little
while I shall begin counting backwards from ten to one. You will gradually
come out of hypnosis but you will be the way you are now for most of the
count. When I reach “five” you will open your eyes, but you will not be
fully awake. When I get to “one” you will be entirely roused, as awake as
you usually are. You will have been so relaxed, however, that you will have
trouble recalling the things I have said to you and the things you did. It will
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take so much effort to think of these that you will prefer not to try. It will be
much easier just to forget everything until I tell you that you can remember.
You will forget all that has happened until I say to you: “Now you can
remember everything! ” You will not remember anything until then. After
you wake up you will feel refreshed. I shall now count backwards from ten,
and at “five,” not sooner, you will open your eyes, but not be fully aroused
until I reach “one.” At “one” you will be fully awake. A little later I shall
tap my pencil on the table like this (demonstrate with two taps). When I do,
you will feel a sudden urge to clear your throat or to cough. And then you
will clear your throat or cough. You will find yourself doing this but you will
forget that I told you to do so ,just as you will forget the other things, until I
tell you, “Now you can remember everything.” All right, ready - 10 - 9
- 8 - 7 - 6 - 5 -4 - 3 - 2 - 1.
(If subject has eyes open:) How do you feel? Do you feel alert?
(If groggy:) The feeling will go away soon. You feel alert now!
(If subject keeps eyes closed:)Please open your eyes. How do you feel?
(If groggy:)You are beginning to feel more alert and refreshed. . . . You
feel alert now!
(Hypnotist now taps pencil against table twice. Wait ten seconds. )
(Score + if patient clears throat or coughs after pencil tap.)
Now I want to ask you a few questions about your experience. Please tell me
in your own words everything that has happened since I asked you to close
your eyes.
(Record subject’s responses verbatim. I f blocked ask, ‘ ‘Anything else?”
and record answers until subject reaches a further impasse.)
Listen carefully to my words. Now you can remember everything. Anything
else now?
(Again record subject’s responses verbatim. Remind subject of any
items not recovered; note these also.)
(Score + if subject recalls no more than two items before memory is
restored.)
(Ifsubject is awake and comfortable:)That’s all now. You are completely
out of hypnosis, feeling alert and refreshed. Any tendency that you may have
to clear your throat or to cough is now completely gone.
 STANFORD SCALE FOR ADULTS 143

FOR CORRECTING DIFFICULTIES WHEN NECESSARY:

(If there is residual difJiculty, e.g., dificulty in restoring alertness or
persistence of a cough, proceed as follows with appropriate suggestions:)
Please close your eyes and drift back into hypnosis as I count to 5 . 1 -2 -
3 -4 - 5 . . . Now I am about to arouse you by counting backwards from 5
to 1. You will feel alert, refreshed,, with no tendency to cough. (Wait ten
seconds.) 5 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1. Fully aroused!

SCORING BOOKLET
STANFORD HYPNOTIC CLINICAL SCALE FOR ADULTS (SHCS:
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ADULT)

Subject Name Date Total Score

Hypnotist

Summary of Scores

1.

Total Score

Special circumstances (medicated? in pain? movement handicap?)

 144 MORGAN AND HILGARD

ITEM SCORE

1. MOVING HANDS TOGETHER (or la. HAND LOWERING)

Describe movement:
(At end of session, probe for type of experience if movement
is very fast:)
Score (+) if movement is slow and hands are not over six
inches apart by end of 10 seconds.
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2. DREAM
Record dream, or report thoughts, fantasies, etc.:

Score (+) if subject has an experience comparable to a

dream, not just vague fleeting experiences or just feelings or
thoughts. The dream should show imagery, some reality,
and not give evidence of being under voluntary control.
 STANFORD SCALE FOR ADULTS 145

ITEM SCORE

3. AGE REGRESSION (SCHOOL)

Selected grade:

Where are you?

What are you doing?

What is your teacher?

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How old are you?

What are you wearing?
Who is with you?

a. Rating of regression by hypnotist:

Hypnotist’s rating:
No Fair Good
regression

b. Subjective rating by subject (TO BE DETERMINED AT

END OF SESSION):
(Read to subject and ask him to select the statement that
best describes his experience:)
1. I did not go back at all.
2. I was thinking about when I was that age, but
had no visual experiences.
3. Although I did not go back, I could see myself
as a young child reliving a past experience.
4. I knew I was really my present age, but I felt
in part as though I was reliving an experience.
5. I actually felt as though I was back at the
suggested age, and reliving a past experience.

Score (+) if hypnotist’s rating is good, or if the subjective

rating is 4 or 5. (3)
 146 MORGAN AND HILGARD

ITEM SCORE

4. POSTHYPNOTIC SUGGESTION (Clearing throat or

coughing).
a. Rating by hypnotist: (+ or -)
Score (+) if subject clears throat or coughs after pencil
tap.
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b. Subjective rating by subject (TO BE DETERMINED AT

END OF SESSION IF SUBJECT RESPONDED):
You coughed (or cleared your throat) during the session.
1) Do you remember why?
2) Did you know why at the time?

3) If you remembered that I said you would do this, why

did you carry out the suggestion?

4) Would you say it was voluntary or involuntary?

Score (+) if subject clears throat or coughs after pencil tap,

and says that this action was largely involuntary. (4)-
 STANFORD SCALE FOR ADULTS 147

ITEM SCORE

5. POSTHYPNOTIC AMNESIA
(1) Please tell me now in your own words everything that has
happened from the time you closed your eyes. (List items
in order of mention; record descriptions of induction
sensations, etc., also. If subject blocks, ask, “Anything
else?” until subject reaches a further impasse.)
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Anything else?

(2) Listen carefully to my words. NOW YOU CAN

REMEMBER EVERYTHING. Anything else now? (List
in order of mention.)

Remind subject of omitted items. List these also, and add

any remarks on nature of amnesic experience.

Score (+) if subject recalls no more than two items

before memory is restored.

(Complete inquiry on Items 3 and 4 at end of session.)

TOTAL SCORE