title: Ambivalence toward the body: death, neuroticism, and the flight from physical sensation.
abstract: Based on terror management theory, the authors suggest that ambivalent reactions to the human body are partially rooted in the association of the physical body with inescapable death and that individuals high in neuroticism are particularly vulnerable to such difficulties. Three experiments demonstrated that priming thoughts about one's death leads individuals high in neuroticism to flee from physical sensations, including pleasurable ones. In response to mortality salience, highly neurotic individuals spent less time submerging their arm in ice-cold water and using an electric foot massager but did not avoid stimulation in nontactile modalities (i.e., listening to music). The discussion highlights the role of existentially motivated self-repression in inhibitions surrounding the body.
authors.affiliation: University of South Florida, Tampa, FL 33620-7200, USA. jgoldenb@cas.usf.edu
authors.forename: Jamie L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Goldenberg
authors.forename: Joshua
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pyszczynski
authors.forename: Gwendolyn M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Warnica
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Landau
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thomas
mesh_terms: D001290:Attitude; D001293:Attitude to Death; D001828:Body Image; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D009497:Neurotic Disorders / Q000523:psychology*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012649:Self Concept; D012650:Self Disclosure; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology