The effects of experimenter gender on pain report in male and female subjects

Pain. 1991 Jan;44(1):69-72. doi: 10.1016/0304-3959(91)90149-R.

Abstract

An experiment was conducted that investigated the effect of experimenter gender on the report of pain of male and female subjects. In order to evoke gender-related motives, experimenters were selected for their attractiveness. Subjects were asked to rate cold pressor pain in front of either a male or female experimenter. The results indicated that males reported significantly less pain in front of a female experimenter than a male experimenter. The difference in female subjects was not significant although they tended to report higher pain to the male experimenter.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cold Temperature
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Pain / psychology*
  • Pain Measurement*
  • Sex Factors