Abstract
Although direct experience and verbal instruction are important sources in the development
of pain-related beliefs and behaviors, accumulating evidence indicates that observation
of others in pain may be equally as important. Taking a contemporary view on learning
as a starting point, we discuss available evidence on observational learning in the
context of pain, highlight its importance for both development and management of chronic
pain problems, and discuss potential moderators of observational learning effects.
We argue that the capacity to understand and appreciate the experience of another
person is fundamental to observational learning, including use of this information
to establish the association between pain and antecedent or consequent stimuli. A
main objective of this paper is to stimulate research on the role of learning about
pain from others. Several lines for further research, including clinical applications,
are delineated.
Perspective
Based upon a contemporary view on learning, this focus article delineates how pain-related
beliefs and behaviors may be learnt by observing others. It is discussed how further
research on the acquisition of pain-related beliefs/behaviors might further our understanding
of pain and disability.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 29, 2010
Footnotes
The contribution of Johan W.S. Vlaeyen was supported by an Odysseus Grant by the Fund for Scientific Research, Flanders, Belgium (FWO).
The authors declare to have no conflicts of interest.
Identification
Copyright
© 2011 American Pain Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
