A Controlled Rorschach Investigation of Hypnotic Age Regression

Much research in hypnotic age regression has lacked appropriate controls. It was hypothesized that motivated, unhypnotized subjects would perform in a similar manner to hypnotized subjects on the Rorschach Test scored according to developmental levels. Six subjects received a Rorschach administered under normal conditions and under hypnotic regression, with order of administration reversed for half of the subjects to control for practice effect. Three subjects received a Rorschach under normal conditions and under simulated regression.

Each subject showed a significant drop in developmental score under hypnotic-regressed or simulated conditions.

No significant difference was found between hypnotically regressed subjects and control subjects. Differential effects of order-of-administration were not manifested. Hypnotically regressed performance did not appear to be more authentic than simulated performance.