The aim of this study is to examine the effects of having personal experience and information about hypnosis over the beliefs and attitudes toward hypnosis, using a sample of students from Spain, United States, Portugal and Romania. The factor structure of the Revised Valencia Scale of Attitudes and Beliefs toward Hypnosis‐Client Version, as well as its psychometric properties are also analyzed. An exploratory factor analysis of the scale was conducted and an 8‐factor model solution similar to the one found in other versions of this scale was obtained: Help, Personal Control, Magical Solution, Interest, Collaboration, Fear, Memory/Trance and Marginal. Results also indicated that participants who had previously experienced hypnosis and/or based their knowledge of hypnosis on scientific sources scored, in general, higher in factors indicating positive attitudes and correct beliefs about hypnosis.

Research has shown that the active-alert method described by Bányai and Hilgard (1976) produces a similar increase on suggestibility as relaxation-based techniques, but it has some limitations, including the need for a stationary bicycle and a certain level of physical fitness. The authors compared that method with the new "alert hand" method, which emphasizes activity and alertness, but is simpler and less strenuous. In a repeated measures, counterbalanced design (N = 80), the authors found that (a) the alert hand method produced significantly higher objective and subjective suggestibility scores than the active-alert technique, and (b) a high percentage (23%) of volunteers discontinued participation during the active-alert method but not during the alert hand method. The alert hand method extends the benefits of active hypnosis to individuals who may have difficulties with the physical demands required by the active-alert method, and it seems to enhance suggestibility even more.

Cognitions held about hypnosis have an important impact on areas such as initial rapport and hypnotic-treatment compliance. The Valencia Scale on Attitudes and Beliefs toward Hypnosis may be the first instrument specifically geared to the Spanish-speaking population. Besides measuring these cognitions, the scale can also help evaluate the effect of clinical and experimental manipulations on people's attitudes and beliefs toward hypnosis. The article presents a confirmatory factor analysis using a sample from 5 different countries (N=2,402). Test-retest analyses were also carried out. The authors found statistical confirmation for an 8-factor model solution: automatism, help, personal control, interest, magical solution, collaboration, memory, and marginal.