In One Study of 16 Couples, the Wives Had to Lie

question 25

Multiple Choice

In one study of 16 couples, the wives had to lie in an MRI machine, periodically receiving a mild but stressful electric shock on their ankles. During the procedure, some women received a touch on the hand from a stranger; others held hands with their husbands. What general principle can be drawn from the results of this study?

• A) Touch can be comforting, but it does not actually reduce stress and anxiety activity in the brain.
• B) Any human touch reduces pain and negative emotions equally.
• C) The touch of a loved one is more effective than that of a stranger in stressful situations.
• D) Being touched by a stranger makes things worse in a stressful situation.

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Definitions:

Facilitator

An individual who makes an action or process easy or easier, especially in learning or discussion contexts.

Scenario Analysis

A process of analyzing possible future events by considering alternative possible outcomes (scenarios), thereby helping decision-making in the face of uncertainty.

Alternative Situations

Different scenarios or conditions that could occur, often considered when planning or making decisions.

Uncertainty

The lack of complete certainty, that is, the existence of more than one possibility in the outcome of a future event.