Advancing Research and Practice: The Revised APA Division 30 Definition of Hypnosis
Abstract
This article describes the history, rationale, and guidelines for developing a new definition of hypnosis by the Society of Psychological Hypnosis, Division 30 of the American Psychological Association. The definition was developed with the aim of being concise, heuristic, and allowing for alternative theories of the mechanisms (to be determined in empirical scientific study). The definition of hypnosis is presented as well as definitions of the following related terms: hypnotic induction, hypnotizability, and hypnotherapy. The implications for advancing research and practice are discussed. The definitions are presented within the article.
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There is still no universally accepted definition of hypnosis.
“Despite several efforts, there is still no universally accepted definition of hypnosis.”
From Best Practice Recommendations for Conducting and Reporting Controlled Trials in Clinical Hypnosis Research (2024) · cites this paper as [46]
The boundaries are still unclear about what can and cannot be called a hypnosis-based intervention.
“Even though there have been multiple attempts at defining hypnosis (e.g. Green et al., 2005;Wagstaff, 1998;Elkins et al., 2015), the boundaries are still unclear about what can and cannot be called a hypnosis-based intervention.”
From Guidelines for the Assessment of Efficacy of Clinical Hypnosis Applications (2022) · cites this paper as Elkins et al., 2015
ACC stimulation is associated with a will to persevere through difficulties, so its reduced activity could decrease personal agency and contribute to heightened suggestibility as well as the ability to dissociate from distress and pain that are characteristic of hypnosis.
“Furthermore, ACC stimulation is associated with a”
From Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis (2016) · cites this paper as Elkins et al. 2015
Reduced dACC fALFF activity is compatible with the observed ability of those in hypnosis to become intensely absorbed and have altered somatic perception and function.
“This is also consistent with reduced dACC fALFF activity, which is compatible with the observed ability of those in hypnosis to become intensely absorbed (Tellegen and Atkinson 1974;Elkins et al. 2015) and have altered somatic perception and function (Klein and Spiegel 1989;Spiegel H and Spiegel D 2004).”
From Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis (2016) · cites this paper as Elkins et al. 2015
Virtually all definitions of hypnosis include an induction as a component of hypnosis and hypnotic procedures.
“Furthermore, virtually all definitions of hypnosis include an induction as a component of hypnosis and hypnotic procedures [e.g.Elkins et al. (2015); Green et al. (2005); Kihlstrom (1985)], consistent with the idea that the induction continues to be viewed as an important part of hypnosis procedures for the majority of clinicians and researchers.”
From New directions in hypnosis research: strategies for advancing the cognitive and clinical neuroscience of hypnosis (2017) · cites this paper as Elkins et al. (2015)
The methods and reporting of this systematic review and meta-analysis followed PRISMA guidelines.
“The methods and reporting of this systematic review and meta-analysis followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines (Figure 1).15”
From Mind-Body Therapies for Opioid-Treated Pain: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (2020) · cites this paper as [15]
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“According to APA Division 30 (Society of Psychological Hypnosis), hypnosis is defined as a “state of consciousness involving focused attention and reduced peripheral awareness characterized by an enhanced capacity for response to suggestion” (Elkins et al., 2015, p. 6).”
BackgroundMethodThe Elkins Hypnotizability Scale: <i>Assessment of Reliability and Validity</i>
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“Finally, hypnotizability, which is the individual’s ability to experience suggested changes in physiology, sensations, emotions, thoughts, or behavior following suggestions during hypnosis [38], has been studied in regard to the shamanic trance experience.”
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Remembering what did not happen: the role of hypnosis in memory recall and false memories formation
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- Authors
- Elkins, G. R., Barabasz, A. F., Council, J. R., & Spiegel, D.
- Affiliations
- Baylor University (US)
- Washington State University (US)
- North Dakota State University (US)
- Stanford Medicine (US)
- Corresponding author
- Elkins, Gary R.
- Venue
- International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2014-11-03
- Volume
- 63
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 1-9
- ISSN
- 0020-7144 (ISSN-L)
- 1744-5183
- OpenAlex
- W2496334851
- Semantic Scholar
- d3a3feca540bbf24624ca2c6115d243e51bcfcf4
- Cited by
- 401
- References
- 21
- Citations by year
- 2026: 42 · 2025: 44 · 2024: 41 · 2023: 42 · 2022: 42 · 2021: 40 · 2020: 38 · 2019: 35 · 2018: 21 · 2017: 19 · 2016: 15 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 1
- FWCI
- 9.36
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- International Journal of Clinical and Experimental Hypnosis (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Pain Management and Placebo Effect
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychotherapy Techniques and Applications
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
- Keywords
- definition of hypnosis, hypnotic induction, hypnotic susceptibility, hypnotherapy, terminology
- MeSH terms
- Humans, Hypnosis, Terminology as Topic
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