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Annals of Behavioral Medicine
Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine 3/2014

01-06-2014 | Original Article

Computer-Delivered Social Norm Message Increases Pain Tolerance

Authors: Kim Pulvers, Ph.D., M.P.H, Jacquelyn Schroeder, B. A., Eleuterio F. Limas, B. A., Shu-Hong Zhu, Ph.D.

Published in: Annals of Behavioral Medicine | Issue 3/2014

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Abstract

Background

Few experimental studies have been conducted on social determinants of pain tolerance.

Purpose

This study tests a brief, computer-delivered social norm message for increasing pain tolerance.

Methods

Healthy young adults (N = 260; 44 % Caucasian; 27 % Hispanic) were randomly assigned into a 2 (social norm) × 2 (challenge) cold pressor study, stratified by gender. They received standard instructions or standard instructions plus a message that contained artifically elevated information about typical performance of others.

Results

Those receiving a social norm message displayed significantly higher pain tolerance, F(1, 255) = 26.95, p < .001, η p 2  = .10 and pain threshold F(1, 244) = 9.81, p = .002, η p 2  = .04, but comparable pain intensity, p > .05. There were no interactions between condition and gender on any outcome variables, p > .05.

Conclusions

Social norms can significantly increase pain tolerance, even with a brief verbal message delivered by a video.
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Metadata
Title
Computer-Delivered Social Norm Message Increases Pain Tolerance
Authors
Kim Pulvers, Ph.D., M.P.H
Jacquelyn Schroeder, B. A.
Eleuterio F. Limas, B. A.
Shu-Hong Zhu, Ph.D.
Publication date
01-06-2014
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Annals of Behavioral Medicine / Issue 3/2014
Print ISSN: 0883-6612
Electronic ISSN: 1532-4796
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s12160-013-9547-x

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