Electric field-induced deformation modes, which are considered one of the causes of the hysteresis in the V-T response of polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC), were investigated. We constructed model PDLC cells with varied alignment treatments at the interface of the liquid crystal droplets. The electric field-induced deformation modes of the liquid crystals in the model cells were analyzed by polarized microscope observations. Our results suggested a possible way to hysteresis-free PDLC devices. ©1998 American Institute of Physics.