Nexus, uncovered: on the relations between expectancy, avoidance, and somatic sensations

Abstract

Expectancies and avoidance are key mechanisms influencing the perception and maintenance of somatic sensations. Theoretical models have been proposed that allude to the dynamic interaction between expectancy and avoidance, yet these mechanisms are often investigated as two separate entities. This dissertation aimed to investigate the expectancy-avoidance relationship across different somatic sensations, particularly in pain, itch, and fatigue. Through a series of theoretical, experimental, and observational studies, it was found that negative expectancies can increase somatic sensations. However, whether negative expectancies can increase avoidance differs per individual and may be context-dependent. The findings of this dissertation demonstrate that there is still more to uncover on the relationship between expectancies and avoidance behavior in somatic sensations.