The Effect of Past Experience on the Perception of Psychological Pain

Observing others in pain activates bilateral anterior Insula, rostral anterior cingulate cortex, brainstem and cerebellum, which could be slower when emphatic individuals are in an unfamiliar simulated condition. Research findings also showed that the same pain matrix would be activated when a person is experiencing social pain. There is a dearth of research on the interconnection of psychological pain and empathy. To meet this gap the current study explores the relationship between empathic reaction and psychologically painful situations. Of special interest we looked at relationship between degree of familiarity with a potential psychological pain-inducing situation and individuals’ empathic reaction. 80 participants completed two Empathy questionnaires and rated a set of fifty pictures of strangers experiencing psychological and physical pain. They were asked to determine their level of pain, feeling, perspective taking, empathic concern toward that person, and willingness to help on a 5-point Likert scale. The analyses of the data showed a significant role of past experience on individuals’ affective empathy.