Hypnosis as a form of role playing is another widely accepted view. Individuals supporting this theory claim that hypnotically induced effects are the result of a subject's motivation and the hypnotist's wording of suggestions. Evans said a hypnotist uses techniques very similar to the relaxation process. Evans does not support the split consciousness or altered state theories of hypnosis. He said hypnosis has never been shown to be more effective than other treatments.
Some individuals are more susceptible to hypnotism.
Evans said this depends on two main characteristics. Highly hypnotizable people tend to have vivid mental imagery and a capacity for absorption, the ability to concentrate on one thing and block out everything else. One who is skeptical of hypnosis would most likely not be hypnotizable. But regardless of their susceptibility, people cannot be hypnotized against their will. The Stanford Hypnotic Susceptibility Scale determines the extent to which a person will comply with hypnotic suggestions.