ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the influence of psychological research derived from socio-cognitive and cognitive-behavioural theories of hypnosis. Nevertheless, a long history of research and publications has led to the development of psychological theories of hypnosis which share certain concepts and postulates with those found in modern psychotherapy, especially cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT). The most important theoretical issue in the history of hypnosis research is known as the "state versus nonstate" debate. It revolves around the widespread assumption that hypnotic responses are primarily due to the induction of a "special" neurological or psychological state in the subject. A position some researchers have considered adopting is that "true hypnosis" is rare and that only highly-responsive ("virtuoso") subjects enter hypnotic trance. The "behavioural" theories of hypnosis can be traced to Pavlov's physiological research in the late nineteenth century and his recommendations for the development of a hypnotic psychotherapy based on "cortical inhibition" and conditioned verbal reflexes.
