Final answer:
Proponents of hypnosis as a social phenomenon believe that it is influenced by social expectations and role-playing, rather than being a true altered state of consciousness.
Step-by-step explanation:
Those who consider hypnosis a social phenomenon contend that hypnosis is largely influenced by social expectations and role-playing. The social-cognitive theory of hypnosis suggests that individuals in a hypnotic state are performing a social role, acting in accordance with the expectations of that role rather than experiencing an altered or dissociated state of consciousness. This perspective aligns with the observation that behavior can be shaped by societal expectations and that a person under hypnosis behaves in a way that fulfills these expectations.
Another view of hypnosis, the dissociation theory, suggests that hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness, akin to being engrossed in an activity to the extent that other things are temporarily ignored. Researchers like Ernest Hilgard provided evidence for this theory, demonstrating that a hypnotized person can respond to pain without conscious awareness. However, those adhering to the social phenomenon stance would argue that these behaviors are influenced by the individual's understanding of how they should act when hypnotized.