Spartan Daily, March 6, 1940

Volume 28, Issue 102https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/3049/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, January 28, 1954

Volume 42, Issue 74https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/11969/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, January 28, 1954

Volume 42, Issue 74https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/11969/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, April 17, 1951

Volume 39, Issue 121https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/11542/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, April 12, 1951

Volume 39, Issue 118https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/11539/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, October 12, 1954

Volume 43, Issue 15https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/12067/thumbnail.jp

Spartan Daily, November 12, 1952

Volume 41, Issue 35https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/spartandaily/11782/thumbnail.jp

Psychosomatic Plasticity: An "Emergent Property" of Personality Research?

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