Psychology

Essay 1

The gate-control theory of pain is influenced by our perception. There are particular nerve receptors in the spinal cord which lead to specific areas of the brain related to pain. When there is an injury or problem with a part of the body, these receptors are activated and so, a gate which allow us to experience the sensation of pain is opened. However, some other set of neutral receptors reduce the experience of pain by closing the pain gate when stimulated. These neural receptors are activated as a result of non-painful stimuli, they compete with and sometimes displace the neural message of pain, thereby shutting off painful stimulus. For instance, rubbing the skin around an injury (or even listening to distracting music) activates the neural receptors, thereby help reduces pain.

Psychological changes, depending on an individual’s current emotions, interpretation of events or previous experience can also stimulate the receptors, thereby the brain sends a message down the spinal cord to the injured area which reduces or relief the pain. For example, an individual who had a broken ankle and arm from a car accident may experience little or no pain. This is as a result of the relief of being alive instead of death. So the brain sends a signal to the injured part of the body to shut down the pain gate.

Also, the gate-control theory may explain cultural differences in the experience of pain. For example, in India, people who participate in the “hook-swinging” ritual to celebrate the power of their gods have steel hooks embedded under the skin and muscles of the backs. During the ritual, they swing from a pole, suspended by the hook. What would seem likely to induce serious pain instead produces a state of celebration.

Essay 2

I dreamt that I was at my old residence. I saw some old friends and some other faces which I couldn’t recognize. We had a party and everyone was drinking, dancing and all looking happy. Then I went to meet some of my friends, urging...