Remembering and forgetting autobiographical events: Instrumental uses of hypnosis

Although intrinsic hypnosis research focuses on the phenomenon of hypnosis itself, instrumental research uses hypnosis as a tool to investigate phenomena outside its immediate domain. The present paper illustrates the value of instrumental hypnosis research by focusing on the use of hypnosis to explore the remembering and forgetting of autobiographical events. In particular, the paper focuses on a programme of research using post-hypnotic amnesia to develop a laboratory model of functional amnesia. This research highlights some of the theoretical and methodological challenges inherent in instrumental hypnosis research, as well as its interest and value. Finally, other potential uses of hypnosis within the domain of personal memory are discussed, including autobiographical memory in hypnotically elicited delusions.