TY - GEN
ID - cogprints4862
UR - http://cogprints.org/4862/
A1 - Jawer, Michael
Y1 - 2006/03//
N2 - Psychosomatic plasticity, defined as an extreme capacity to turn suggestions into bodily realities, is as phenomenon well worth investigating, as it challenges mainstream conceptions about the relationship between mind and body in health as well as illness. The field of psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) offers a framework within which to understand this phenomenon, as PNI makes a compelling case for the biological unity of self. Hartmann?s Boundaries concept is particularly applicable, as it suggests that the minds of ?thin-boundary? persons are relatively fluid and able to make numerous connections. Wilson and Barber?s identification of the fantasy prone person, and Thalbourne?s transliminality concept, are similarly relevant. Taking these explorations a step further, the author proposes that the flow of feeling within individuals represents the key to psychosomatic plasticity. Blushing, psoriasis, and immune reactions are offered as examples, as are more anomalous reports such as those provided by heart transplant recipients and cases said to be indicative of reincarnation. In each instance, persons who are highly sensitive (i.e., have a speedier and more direct flow of feeling) are more likely to evidence physical reactions. Psychosomatic plasticity represents an emerging area of interest in personality research, one that clearly merits further investigation.
PB - Elsevier
KW - neurobiology
KW - sensitive
KW - sensitivity
KW - anomalous
KW - trauma
KW - stress
KW - boundaries
KW - somatic
KW - somatization
KW - psychosomatic
KW - hypnosis
KW - blushing
KW - psoriasis
KW - immune
KW - absorption
KW - fantasy-prone
KW - emotion
KW - transliminal
KW - transliminality
KW - dreams
KW - personality
KW - psychoneuroimmunology
KW - PNI
KW - memory
KW - self
KW - prodigy
KW - reincarnation
KW - heart
KW - transplant
KW - gastrointestinal
TI - Psychosomatic Plasticity: An "Emergent Property" of Personality Research?
SP - 115
AV - public
EP - 121
ER -