On the Objectivity of the Scoring of Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility |
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Authors: | Katalin Varga Lajos Farkas László Mérő |
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Affiliation: | 1. E?tv?s Loránd University , Budapest , Hungary varga.katalin@ppk.elte.hu;3. E?tv?s Loránd University , Budapest , Hungary |
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Abstract: | The authors analyzed the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A, scores of 1,887 subjects. In addition to the usual self-scoring, trained observers also scored the behavioral manifestations of the subjects according to the same standardized criteria during the sessions. Self- and observer-scoring proved to be internally consistent and highly correlated (r = .832). Item-by-item analysis, however, yielded notable differences. Subjects and observers scored items differently in about 20% of the cases; only 3 items showed no systematic bias toward pass or fail. Many subjects' hypnotizability level would be classified differently according to observer categorization (Cohen's Kappa = .563). We suggest reconsidering the “objectivity” of self-scoring. |
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