There are many scenarios under which it is possible to elicit factually incorrect statements from the subject under hypnosis. It should not be automatically assume that what is said by the subject is always factually correct. It is also incumbent upon the hypnotherapist to interrogate the subject in an unbiased fashion as well as to understand the conditions upon which the subject is responding.
Injecting false memories and hypnotherapist bias. It is possible to inject false memories into the subject, either intentionally or accidentally, during hypnotherapy. Generally, it is considered unethical to implant false memories, especially without the conscious consent of the subject. However, improper hypnotic interrogation makes it possible to inadvertently introduce a memory. For example, if you tell a person, look to your left, what do you see? The subject polls likely respond with what their memory, their minds eye saw during the time period specified. However, if you say, look to your left, what do you see past the blue car? The subject may respond that they do not see a blue car. However, in some particularly subject to both subjects you will have injected the image of a blue car, whether it was there or not. Upon awakening, the individual may in fact recall seeing a blue car. In further hypnotic sessions, that memory may recur. Proper interrogation procedures are extremely important to prevent false memory injection under hypnosis, especially when asking the subject to recall an incident it is important never to state a fact in the interrogation process.
Observational bias. Observational bias is the subjects interpretation of events in the subconscious mind as opposed to a representation of the factual situation. For example, it is possible for a person to say that he or she observed a red haired person. This is stated by the subject as fact. However, one can not blindly accept the facts stated by the subject under hypnosis. For example, did the subject actually view a person with red hair, or did the subject view a blond haired person standing under a red light? Sometimes it is important to ask the subject about environmental consideration. Is it light or dark? Is it cold or warm? Does it feel hot or cold? Ask questions that can describe the environment under which the subjects observations are made. In another example, the subject reports seeing a person, and reports that the man spoke to him. How does the subject to know it was a man? Rather than accept the statement that it was a man, it is important to ask some environmental question. The simplest is, how do you know it was a man? If the person is wearing a hood and wearing a trenchcoat that gender may not be immediately obvious and it may be assumed that it was a man or a young boy simply by hearing the pitch of the voice. As you can see, it is very important to ask multiple questions, confirming questions, to eliminate the chance of observational bias.
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