The Modified Tellegen Absorption Scale: A Clearer Window On The Structure And Meaning Of Absorption

Abstract

The structure if absorption was examined through factor analysis (N = 352) if a modified absorption questionnaire, MODTAS. A coherent single latent trait was not predicted by response expectancy theory. The Likert scaled MODTAS had five oblique rotated (i.e., inter-correlated) primary factors (synaesthesia, ASC, aesthetic involvement, imaginative involvement, ESP) and a single higher order factor. In an independent sample (N = 110), all MODTAS subscales significantly predicted high versus low hypnotisability. Contrary to predictions from response expectancy theory, a comparison if multiple regression models showed that these relationships were mediated by common variance with the single latent trait. Absorption is placed in the context if central and somatic psychophysiology of self-regulation. MODTAS should be adopted in future absorption research. It is presented in Appendices along with normative item response data.