Final answer:
Nonstate theorists believe that the phenomena of hypnosis arise from participants' adherence to social roles, leveraging relaxation, imagination, and role-playing, rather than an altered consciousness state. This view stands in contrast to state theories, which consider hypnosis as a separate state of consciousness, potentially supported by changes in brain activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question pertains to which theorists believe hypnosis is a blend of factors such as conformity, relaxation, imagination, obedience, and role-playing. The correct answer is a. nonstate theorists. They suggest that when an individual undergoes hypnosis, they are not in an altered state of consciousness but rather are fulfilling the social role expected of a hypnotized person. This perspective aligns with the social-cognitive theory of hypnosis. In contrast, state theorists would argue that hypnosis is a distinct state of consciousness, which is associated with specific brain activity patterns, as supported by dissociation theory.
State theorists such as Ernest Hilgard conducted experiments suggesting a dissociation of consciousness during hypnotic states. Meanwhile, nonstate theorists focus on the behavior shaped by social contexts and expectations, pointing out that individuals perform as they believe they are expected to while hypnotized.
Hypnosis in itself is a focused state bringing about suggestion-influenced changes in behavior and perception that can be therapeutically advantageous for treating conditions like pain, depression, anxiety, and other behavioral issues. The effectiveness of hypnosis correlates with a person's suggestibility, and it is often employed alongside other therapeutic methods.