role-enactment theory

an explanation of hypnosis as a social phenomenon, claiming that the hypnotized individual nonconsciously takes on the socially constructed role of a hypnotic subject and behaves accordingly. Belonging to the category of nonstate theories of hypnosis, it was conceived in the 1950s by Theodore R. Sarbin, who developed the idea from his more general theory of role enactment in social behavior. See assumed role.

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Psychology term of the day

May 8th 2024

mental chemistry

a concept proposed by John Stuart Mill as an alternative to the mental mechanics described by his father, James Mill. The concept is modeled on a common phenomenon in physical chemistry, in which two chemical substances combine to form a compound with properties not present in either of the components. Similarly, Mill held that compound ideas were not merely combinations of simpler ideas but that they possessed other qualities not present in any of the constituent ideas. Thus, such an idea could be an essentially new one. See associationism; association of ideas.