Commentary on a theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition Part I: contrasts with other perspectives and supporting evidence

This article places in the contemporary context ‘A theory of hypnosis based on principles of conditioning and inhibition’, published earlier in Contemporary Hypnosis (Barrios, 2001). The commentary is in two parts. Here in Part I, following a succinct summary of the theory, there are two sections: (1) contrasting the theory with three other major perspectives in the field, the Sociocognitive, the Dissociation/Neo-Dissociation, and the Response-Expectancy perspectives as well as with Erickson's strategic approach to therapy; and (2) some of the supporting research subsequent to the theory's first evolution (1969) is provided. Part II will present some of the benefits of the theory. Copyright © 2007 British Society of Experimental & Clinical Hypnosis. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.