The domain of hypnosis: a multifactorial model

Abstract

A conceptual framework is presented to help the reader understand some controversies in the hypnosis literature and a means of understanding some important differences and disagreements in the field. It is this author's view that hypnotic behavior can be understood as a complex mix of four conceptual (and empirical) independent dimensions: expectations, akin to the placebo response in clinical technique; suggestion; a cognitive component including relaxation, imagery in all modalities, and trance logic; dissociation, which is seen as the key component of deep hypnosis, and which may involve individual differences in the flexible control of experience.