Theodore Barber, 78; Psychologist Was Critical of Hypnosis

Theodore Barber, 78, a psychologist who became a critic of hypnosis, died Sept. 10 of a ruptured aorta in Framingham, Mass.

Through his own studies at the Medfield Foundation, a psychiatric research center in Massachusetts, Barber concluded that the power of suggestion was as effective as hypnosis with its swinging watches and other formal protocols. He found that suggestion alone could induce sleepiness in about 20% of subjects.

In 1969, Barber published the book “Hypnosis: A Scientific Approach.” During the 1960s, he also created the Barber Suggestibility Scale. Still in use, the scale helps to evaluate patients and measure their responsiveness to a range of suggestions.

Born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, Theodore Xenophon Barber earned his doctorate in social psychology from American University. He joined the private Medfield Foundation in 1961 and became its director of research in 1973. During his career, he also served as chief psychologist at Cushing Hospital in Framingham and at Medfield State Hospital.