ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses each of the independent personality dimensions that describes a particular aspect of health-related behaviors rather than providing a comprehensive overview or an attempt to systematize all behaviors. The augmenter-reducer dimension concentrates on symptom perception, whereas the internal external locus of control dimension focuses on the individual's responses to illness and treatment. Of particular interest to the field of health care is the documented fact that individuals who are characterized as reducers exhibit a greater tolerance for pain. Along with information derived from the internal-external locus of control dimension, the repression-sensitization dimension can be used to identify the most effective health care procedures for any given patient. Measurement of the dimension of repression-sensitization is accomplished by means of an objective self-report scale, much like the locus-of-control scale. The primary current application of the repression-sensitization dimension in medical practice occurs in the context of providing effective preparation for medical procedures.
