The psychophysiology of self-mutilation.
Self-mutilators' psychophysiological and subjective responses during an imaged self-mutilative act were examined. Differences in arousal to 3 imaged control events (neutral, accidental injury, and aggression) were examined between 3 self-mutilation groups (prisoner, prisoner control, and nonprison control). Imagery scripts were presented in 4 stages; scene setting, approach, incident, and consequence. Results indicated a decrease in psychophysiological and subjective response during self-mutilation imagery. No such decrease was evident for nonmutilators who were administered standard self-mutilation imagery. A lag between psychophysiological and psychological response to the self-mutilative act was evident. Responses elicited during self-mutilation imagery were different from those of control imagery. Results indicated that self-mutilative behavior is maintained by its reinforcing tension-reducing qualities.
Haines
J
J
Department of Psychology, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia.
Williams
C L
CL
Brain
K L
KL
Wilson
G V
GV
D000328:Adult; D001143:Arousal; D001794:Blood Pressure; D004538:Eidetic Imagery; D006339:Heart Rate; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires