In‐group reassurance in a pain setting produces lower levels of physiological arousal: direct support for a self‐categorization analysis of social influence

Abstract

A large body of research demonstrates a strong social component to people's pain experiences and pain-related behaviours. We investigate this by examining the impact of social-influence processes on laboratory-induced pain responses by manipulating the social-categorical relationship between the person experiencing pain and another who offers reassurance. We show that physiological arousal associated with laboratory-induced pain is significantly lower in normal, healthy participants following reassurance about the pain-inducing activity when that reassurance comes from an ingroup member in contrast to reassurance from an out-group member and a no reassurance control. These data are consistent with predictions derived from self-categorization theory, providing convincing empirical support of its analysis of social influence using a non-reactive measure. These data also represent a clear advance within the pain literature by identifying a possible common process to the social-psychological component of pain responses.

Perceiving the World Through Group-Colored Glasses: A Perceptual Model of Intergroup Relations

“…By experimentally manipulating social group membership, researchers showed that physiological arousal associated with induced pain is lower following reassurance from an ingroup member, compared to when such reassurance came from an outgroup member or when there was no assurance (Platow et al, 2007). Of course, it is important to note that it is unclear whether pain is necessarily a part of touch, because it can occur in the absence of physical contact (Xu, Zuo, Wang, & Han, 2009).…”

Identification with social groups is associated with mental health in adolescents: Evidence from a Scottish community sample

“…In particular, researchers have demonstrated that we tend to help, like, and cooperate with people who are members of groups with which we identify. We are also likely to receive such benefits from other group members in return (e.g., Turner et al, 1987;Haslam et al, 2004;Levine and Thompson, 2004;Levine et al, 2005;Platow et al, 2007). Importantly, the various benefits of group identification also extend to the domain of mental health.…”

Perceived injustice in fibromyalgia: Psychometric characteristics of the Injustice Experience Questionnaire and relationship with pain catastrophising and pain acceptance

“…Specifically, cognitions about the justness of the patient's situation could be expected to influence and be influenced by chronic pain because pain is not experienced in a vacuum. Instead, pain is experienced in a social context where others can influence pain behaviours [11] and pain experience [12,13], and thus, where justice issues are potentially salient [14].…”