預先知道的傷害更加疼痛
Pain on Purpose Hurts More 有意的傷害更痛
When it comes to pain, it’s the thought that counts. Because pain hurts more when it’s inflicted on purpose. Or so say researchers from Harvard University in the December issue of Psychological Science.
說到對疼痛的感受，真正起作用的是思想。這是因爲有意的傷害讓人感受更痛。至少來自哈佛大學的研究者們是這樣說的，他們的研究結果發表在12月的《心理學科學》（Psychological Science）雜誌上。
Forty-three people were paired off with a partner for what they were told would be a test of psychological perception. Then they were hooked up to some electrodes, and given a quick zap. Sometimes the shock was “intentional.” So, the partner would call for a shock to be administered, and zzzt it came. But sometimes the shock was unintentional. That is, the partner called for the subject to hear a pleasant tone, but those zap-happy researchers hit the shock button instead.
43名參與者分別與一名夥伴達成對，他們被告知要進行一項心理感知測試。然後實驗人員把電極接到他們身上，並給他們施加一次快速的電擊。有時候這些電擊是“有意的”。這時，這名夥伴會要求來一次電擊，隨後伴隨着“滋滋”聲，他們被電擊了。但是， 有些時候這些電擊是無意的。這時，這名夥伴告訴被測試者來聽一個愉快的曲子，而實際上是那些研究者們按動電擊按鈕而已。
They then asked the subjects to rate the pain. The results? On a scale of one to seven, with seven being “extremely uncomfortable,” the shocks that were done on purpose rated a respectable 3.6. But the same exact shock when given by accident only rated a 3.
隨後，研究者們讓被測試者們給他們感受到的疼痛評級。疼痛從1到7分爲7個等級，7意味着“極度難受”。結果如何呢？ 當電擊是有意施加的時候，測試者感受的疼痛爲3.6級。但是，當電擊是偶然施加的時候，測試者感受的疼痛爲3.0級。
That emotional response to pain makes evolutionary sense, the researchers say. Because an ouch that’s just an accident is probably one-time thing. Whereas someone who wants to do you harm will probably do it again. In which case it may be a good idea to pull off your electrodes and just go home.
研究者們說對疼痛的情緒反應是有進化論意義的。因爲偶然疼痛可能只是一次性事件。不過要是有人想傷害你的話，他或許會繼續這樣做。如果是這樣的話，那麼拔掉你身上的電極然後直接回家未嘗不是個好注意。
Vocabulary:
Count：起重要作用
Inflict：施加痛苦
Zap: （俚語）精力，震擊
Ouch：（感嘆詞）哎喲
Respectable：（數量等）可觀的
pull off：拔掉
