Practise distinguishing acute, chronic and phantom limb pain and explaining gate control, then use mirror treatment and nature-nurture evidence to evaluate theory.
Explain one strength of the gate control theory of pain, from the nurture side of the debate.
Explain one strength of the gate control theory of pain, from the nurture side of the debate.
Award 2 marks for a detailed explanation of the strength in context.
Award 1 mark for a basic outline/identification of strength.
Strengths might include:
- Application to everyday life: This theory suggests that when someone experiences pain, they have some control over this perception. Techniques such as imagery and attention diversion can be learned and used to help close the gate and reduce pain.
- Free will: Pain is something that people have control over. The perception of pain is not something we are born with but something where we can exert some control through learning (nurture) techniques to reduce this pain (close the gate).
- Holistic: Gate control theory is a more holistic explanation of pain by extending specificity theory to include psychological gates. These psychological gates can be due to learning. For example, a young child will often look to their carer when they hurt themselves. The child often cries more if their carer seems concerned about their injury.
Example:
Gate control theory suggests that pain can be controlled through learning how to close the psychological gates which will reduce the perception of pain. (1) This has good applications to everyday life as patients can be taught techniques such as imagery or attention diversion to reduce their experience of pain. (1)
Other appropriate responses should also be credited.
2
Context = gate control theory of pain