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Pain

CHAPTER OVERVIEW

This chapter examines early models of pain and their

description of pain as a sensation. It then examines the

increasing emphasis on a role for psychology in pain, the shift

towards the notion of pain perception and the development

of the gate control theory. The chapter then describes the

three process models of pain with a focus on how cognitive,

affective and behavioural factors can either exacerbate or

reduce pain perception. Next the role of psychology in

treating and managing pain is discussed. Finally, the chapter

examines the problems with pain measurement and the ways

in which pain can be assessed.

This chapter covers:

➧ What is pain?

➧ Early pain theories – pain as a sensation

➧ The gate control theory of pain – pain as a perception

➧ The role of psychosocial factors in pain perception

➧ The role of psychology in pain treatment

➧ Measuring pain

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