Abstract
This study investigated the relation between an individual's tendency to tolerate and/or report discomfort and the amount of life change experienced by that individual. The role of attention in this relation was also examined and manipulated through instruction. Eighty college freshman were selected and divided into three groups (high, medium, low) as a function of scores obtained on the College Schedule of Recent Experience (CSRE). Participants were asked to experience two known discomforting stimuli, the cold pressor and loud broad-band noise. Dependent measures included participant's tolerance time, report of discomfort, and amount of attention paid to each of the stimuli. Results indicated that “high”-life change groups tolerated the two discomforting stimuli significantly less than either the “low”- or the “medium”-life change groups. Neither discomfort ratings nor attention was significantly different across groups. Findings are discussed in relation to epidemiological studies of the life change and illness relation.
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The present paper is a revision of a manuscript submitted by the first author in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the masters degree. The authors would like to thank Dr. Allan H. Marcus, Department of Pure and Applied Mathematics, for his statistical guidance and Mr. Mark Haller for his assistance in conducting the research. The research was supported in part by grants to the Self-Control Research and Training Unit, Department of Psychology, Washington State University, Pullman.
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Harney, M.K., Brigham, T.A. Tolerance of aversive stimuli in relation to life change. J Behav Med 8, 21–35 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00845510
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00845510