Theme Induction of Localized Somatic Tension

This study tested a body image-oriented model concerning the selective development of somatic tension (symptomatology) in specific body areas. The design was based upon a theory which assumes that an individualʼs relative awareness of specific areas of his body plays a role in coping with conflictual themes linked to such body areas. It was predicted that exposure to a theme message linked with a specific body region would selectively produce experiences of tension in that locale as a function of how frequently it had previously been a site of somatic discomfort. The hypothesis was tested and also cross-validated in eight male samples (N=138). This was done by exposing subjects to taped messages about specific themes and then measuring tension in specific body areas. The results were supportive of the hypothesis. They indicate that localized somatic discomfort is linked to concern about specific conflictual themes.