PSYC 332 Lecture Notes - Lecture 8: Periaqueductal Gray, Noxious Stimulus, Threshold Of Pain

• School: Queen's University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: PSYC 332
• Professor: Dean A Tripp

Document Summary

A (cid:373)essage to the (cid:271)rai(cid:374), pai(cid:374) is a "(cid:449)hole (cid:271)od(cid:455)" e(cid:454)perie(cid:374)(cid:272)e a(cid:374)d i(cid:374)(cid:448)ol(cid:448)es (cid:271)oth the (cid:373)i(cid:374)d a(cid:374)d the body. Usually a protective mechanism to warn us to be more careful of our bodies. It hurts and may cause suffering or distress. Different for different people: it is whatever the person says hurts. Although not enjoyable, the experience of pain serves important functions: produces withdrawal that prevents further injury, serves as basis of learning to avoid injurious objects/situations, sets limits on activity and enforces inactivity and/or rest. When contact with injurious stimuli occurs, signals follow a particular route: nocioceptors of the afferent (sensory) neurons (pns) respond to the stimuli, generate impulses that travel to the cns. Two types of afferent peripheral fibres: a-delta fibres: sharp, distinct pain; fast, b-fibres: dull, aching pain; slow. Gate control theory: leading pain theory; a few limitations, states that a gate-like (cid:373)e(cid:272)ha(cid:374)is(cid:373) i(cid:374) the spi(cid:374)al (cid:272)olu(cid:373)(cid:374)"s dorsal hor(cid:374)s , controls pain stimulation to the brain.