Sex role and age as variables in hypnotic susceptibility

Hypnotic susceptibility as a function of social sex role and age was investigated in 189 volunteers between the ages of 17 and 56 years. Responders were classified as masculine, feminine, androgynous or undifferentiated subjects using the Bem Sex Role Inventory. Susceptibility was measured using the Harvard Group Scale of Hypnotic Susceptibility, Form A. No significant differences were found among the different sex role classifications. Age trends showed that hypnotic susceptibility increased in the late adolescent years, reaching a peak at 23 years, then declining with increasing age.