Self-construal priming modulates pain perception: event-related potential evidence

Cogn Neurosci. 2014;5(1):3-9. doi: 10.1080/17588928.2013.797388. Epub 2013 May 24.

Abstract

We investigated whether and how temporary shifts in self-construals modulate neural correlates of pain perception. Event-related potentials (ERPs) to painful and non-painful electrical stimulations were recorded from adults after being primed with independent and interdependent self-construals. Electrical stimulations to the left hand elicited two negative components (N60 and N130) over the frontal /central regions and two positive components (P90 and P300) over the central/parietal regions with larger amplitudes over the right rather than the left hemispheres. Painful vs. non-painful stimulations enlarged P90, N130, and P300 amplitudes. Independent vs. interdependent self-construal priming induced larger N130 amplitudes to painful stimulations but did not affect the N130 amplitudes to non-painful stimulations. The self-construal priming effect on the P300 amplitudes to painful stimulation positively correlated with self-reported interdependence. Our ERP results suggest that temporary shifts in self-construals affect pain perception by modulating the neural activities engaged in early somatosensory and late evaluation processing of physical pain.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Electroencephalography
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pain / physiopathology*
  • Pain / psychology
  • Pain Perception / physiology*
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Young Adult