ABSTRACT
Evidence is presented indicating that the perception of physical sensations and internal state parallels the processes involved in the perception of external environmental events. Two factors influencing the awareness of internal state are presented. If the external environment is lacking in information, the probability of attending to internal sources of information increases. In addition, the schemas or hypotheses we adopt about our health can result in highly specific monitoring of internal sensations. Further, individuals are much more likely to become aware of sensations that can verify an illness schema than sensations that could disconfirm such a schema. Ways in which illness schemas are established and result in selective search of internal state are presented. Finally, implications for the understanding and prevention of mass psychogenic illness episodes are discussed.
