Pain and Empathy: The Effect of Self-Oriented Feelings on the Detection of Painful Facial Expressions

摘要

BackgroundPainful facial expressions have been shown to trigger affective responses among observers. However, there is so far no clear indication about the self- or other-oriented nature of these feelings. The purpose of this study was to assess whether facial expressions of pain are unconsciously associated with other-oriented feelings (empathic concern) or with self-oriented feelings (personal distress).