[Signal-flow diagrams as aids to describe hypnotic trance states: an impulse for our statement].

A model is developed to show the formation of the hypnotic trance states. As experimental results are rare in this field the development of the model is mainly done by assuming possible and practicable connections. It is the beginning of cybernetic models for this domain and may encourage further work in this direction. The focal point is the separation of energy-flow from information-flow. Only the latter is needed with the arrangement of signal-flow diagrams. These diagrams show that the different trance states may be explained as different information-processing systems. We don't require the physiological background as we have transformed the problem into a pure psychology-problem - On this way we find two switch-over systems: One that opens the loop between the model of outer world and the inner decision system. By this way it gives to the other system the possibility to follow word-for-word the suggestions, given by the hypnotist.