On the bases of Hilgard's neodissociation theory and Spano's (1982) socioco
gnitive theory, volunteers stringently selected for high (N = 10) and low (
N = 10) hypnotizability were exposed to a cold presser pain test during cou
nterbalanced conditions of waking relaxation, distraction, and hypnosis. To
better discriminate between hypnosis and distraction conditions, a new dis
traction procedure was developed involving the memorization of a sequence o
f colored lights. High hypnotizables showed significantly greater pain reli
ef for hypnosis versus distraction or waking relaxation conditions. High hy
pnotizables also demonstrated significantly greater pain relief than low hy
pnotizables in response to hypnosis. Quantitative electroencephalographic (
EEG) findings showed significantly greater high theta (5.5 - 7.5 Hz) activi
ty for highs as compared to lows at parietal (P3) and occipital (01) sites
during both hypnosis and waking relaxation conditions. The findings fail to
support the socio-cognitive conceptualization of hypnotic behavior while p
roviding additional evidence supporting the neo-dissociation theory and sta
te based theories of hypnosis in general.