Cognitive Influences on the Perception of Somatic Change During a Feigned Chemical Release1

Abstract

The role of psychological processes in the perception of bodily symptoms was investigated during a feigned chemical release. Somatic change was manipulated through exercise, while chemical pollutant cues were used to provide explanatory frameworks for illness perceptions. Experimental participants were informed that they would be exposed to a common urban chemical pollutant while they exercised or rested in an atmosphere-controlled chamber. In actuality, no pollutant was released. Control participants were informed correctly that they would be exposed only to room air in the chamber. Results showed that the presence of a chemical cue resulted in more attributions of symptoms to a chemical cause, in addition to the report of a greater number of symptoms. However, only during states of arousal induced by the exercise did the chemical cue have an effect on symptom intensity reporting. Participants who exercised in the context of salient chemical pollutant cues reported heightened levels of chemical-exposure-type symptoms (e.g., dizziness, dry throat) as compared to control participants and participants whose exercise arousal had diminished. Findings show that individuals will use a chemical explanatory framework for symptoms when conditions suggest toxic exposure, and that adoption of these explanatory frameworks modifies the experience of somatic change.