Intentionally makes the wound worse

Researchers at Harvard University discovered that the feeling of pain depended on our thinking about the wound being caused by the intention of the person. In their study, participants believed that they were electrocuted because other people intentionally felt more shocked and hurt than neglected. Most of the participants are more accustomed to the shock caused by accidentally while they intentionally feel pain every time.

This study, published in the recent issue of Psychological Science, was conducted by Kurt Gray, a graduate student in psychology with Daniel Wegner, a professor of psychology.

We have always known that our psychological states can be replaced by painful feelings, but this finding also suggests the perception of other people's psychological influences. to our painful feeling.

Mr. Gray said: 'This study demonstrates the same two actions that are equally painful but an intentional act will make the person feel more painful'. 'Compare a slap of a friend when hitting a mosquito and the slap of a partner that we must receive. The first slap we missed immediately, while the second slap left the pain on our cheeks for a whole night. '

The author of this paper suggests that pain caused by accidental or intentional causes different levels of pain because they are intrinsically different.

'From language decoding to understanding gestures, the brain must accumulate meaning from the surrounding social environment itself. A deliberate traumatic act will have a different effect than an unintentional traumatic act. ' Mr. Gray commented.

In this study, participants believed that they were electrocuted because other people intentionally felt more shocked and hurt than neglected. Most of the participants are more accustomed to the shock caused by accidentally while they intentionally feel pain every time. (Photo: Kurt Gray / Harvard University)

In this study, 48 participants were paired with people who were able to influence them with a voice that was audible enough or an electric shock. In the deliberate case, the participants were stunned when their couple chose to shock. Therefore, in this case, they received a shock while the couple did not intend for them to receive this shock. The full display on the computer ensures that participants know their friend's choice and whether any shock is coming, to make sure that the shock is not more surprising in the casually.

Although shocks are different in terms of conditions, but in intentional conditions, it will cause more pain. In addition, the cases of unintentional pain will make people feel less painful and vice versa.

Mr. Gray made the observation that the difference in the nature of pain can be understood as a different amount of pain.

'If something is hurting us, the more we have to pay attention and stop anything that hurts us. If it is an intentional pain that may be the first time of the pain, it is better to pay attention and take action. It shows that our bodies and brains can accumulate experience through pain when we know that pain is a warning sign of our survival. '

These findings say one thing is how people tolerate pain and bad things that happen in life. If these bad events happen intentionally, they will make us more painful. This explains why torturing someone is so miserable - not only extremely painful torture technique, but the thought that counting and making that torture is much more painful than rare pain meet.

On the other hand, if bad things happen by accident, they cause less pain. This may partly explain why people in each other's relationships are in conflict with each other. With the mindset of an abusive friend not deliberately causing harm, other victims can reduce their pain; therefore it makes them not leave and run away from this relationship.

This paper is funded by the National Institutes of Health, the Canadian Society for Human and Social Studies and the Human Research Institute.