Experimental results are presented on the generation and dynamics of concentric as well as non-concentric multiple double layers in hot filament type discharge plasma. These results emphasize striking similarities between the generation and dynamics of both types of multiple double layers, i.e. similar potential steps corresponding to the ionization energy in used gas, similar hysteresis cycles in the current–voltage characteristic of the exciting electrode, similar dynamic behaviour, etc. The results show that a common physical mechanism is at the origin of both phenomena, in which electron-neutral impact excitation and ionization reactions play a key role.