The specificity and pattern theories of pain both assume that pain is ______.
A) a physiological phenomenon
B) detected by receptors geared especially for pain
C) determined primarily by the intensity of stimulation
D) mainly psychological

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Both specificity and pattern theories of pain emphasize the physiological aspects of pain, suggesting that it is a result of activity in specialized nerve fibers and pathways, rather than being solely psychological or determined by the intensity of stimulation. While the specificity theory emphasizes specialized "pain fibers," the pattern theory suggests that pain results from the activation of specific patterns of neural activity in response to different types of stimuli.

The Specificity and Pattern Theories of Pain Both Assume That