Main Paper Hypnosis and Cognitive-experiential Self-theory: a New Conceptualization for Hypnosis?

Evidence for a shift from analytical to holistic processing during hypnosis is presented as a basis for a new conceptualization of hypnosis in terms of Epstein’s integrative theory of personality, Cognitive-Experiential Self-Theory (CEST; e.g., Epstein, 1973, 1990, 1994). Support for this view comes from parallels between the hypnotic state and the experiential system as embodied in CEST and from converging lines of enquiry from cognitive psychology. It is concluded that there is significant heuristic value in such a conceptualization, which can form a framework within which to organize data and generate research, and can serve as an interface between cognitive psychology, the psychology of individual differences and hypnosis theory. Despite pervasive theoretical differences within the field, the notion that hypnosis involves some sort of temporary suspension of critical thought to allow a more holistic, intuitive, emotional and imaginal way of thinking to predominate has proved extremely popular (e.g., Spanos & Barber, 1974; Crawford, 1982). Such an idea is appealing for a number of reasons. For example, a number of studies have indicated that hypnosis is characterized by an increase in imaginative processing (e.g., Crawford & Allen, 1983; for a review see Sheehan, 1979), heightened creativity (e.g., Raikov, 1983) and affect intensity (e.g., Crawford, Clarke, Kitner-Triolo & Olesko, 1989). Moreover, there is evidence to suggest that the ability to enter hypnosis might be facilitated by an everyday preference for a holistic style of thinking (e.g., Tellegen & Atkinson, 1974; Wallace, 1990) that, in extreme cases, involves considerable engagement in fantasy-related behaviour during normal waking — the so-called fantasy-prone personality (Lynn & Rhue, 1986) The idea that hypnosis involves a shift from an analytic to a more holistic style of processing — a notion we shall refer to as the analytic-holistic hypothesis — is well represented, albeit often implicitly, in many contemporary cognitive accounts of hypnosis. For example, both neodissociation theory (e.g., Hilgard, 1977), and its more recent interpretation dissociated control theory (e.g., Bowers 1992), regard the disruption and inhibition of higher executive functions (the seat of conscious, analytical processing) as central to the induction and maintenance of hypnosis. The neuropsychophysiological model of Crawford and Gruzelier (1992) embodies a more explicit version. Citing evidence indicating a cerebral activity shift from left frontal to right 94 ConHyp 14(2) 3rd proof 15/12/05 7:27 pm Page 94