Levels of explanation and the concept of a hypnotic state

American Journal of Clinical Hypnosis, Jul 2005 by Wickramsekera, Ian II

Wagstaff, G., & Cole, J. (2005). Levels of explanation and the concept of a hypnotic state. Contemporary Hypnosis, 22(1), 14-17. This article is another response to Kallio and Revonsuo's (2003) article, which shows that the state/nonstate debate continues to be alive and well in the field. This paper argues that sociocognitive criticisms of state/dissociation theory do not arise primarily because these approaches involve different levels of explanation, but rather because the postulated cognitive and physiological mechanisms involved are different.

The authors also discuss the limitations of using hypnotic virtuosos in hypnosis research and question the utility of using the idea of altered states of consciousness as an explanatory mechanism. They conclude that the issues dividing theoretical opinions on hypnosis operate across a variety of explanatory levels. Address for reprints: Dr. G. F. Wagstaff, Dept. of Psychology, University of Liverpool, Eleanor Rathbone Building, Bedford Street South, Liverpool, L69 7ZA, United Kingdom. E-mail: gwf@liverpool.ac.uk