Abstract
This paper reviews a number of years of comprehensive research in the use of electric shock as a pain stimulus in the psychophysiology laboratory. The development of a standard stimulation technique is described. Studies involving the use of this procedure to investigate psychological, physiological, and clinical factors that affect the evaluation of pain are discussed. Cultural and behavioral influences on pain tolerance are investigated and physiological response measures tested. Possible clinical applications are studied, and special consideration is given to the psychophysical evaluation of the sensory and connotative components of the pain experience.