ABSTRACT
The affective component is what makes pain bad. This chapter considers some proposals about the nature of the affective component. The word "affect" is often used as a scientific stand-in for emotion, and it is tempting to say that the affective component of pain is an emotion. The chapter proposes that the affective component is not an emotion, but rather what is sometimes called "negative valence." There are different theories of valence. The chapter defends a particular approach and argues that it provides a theory of the affective component of pain. The chapter reviews the advantages of this theory. It also addresses a pressing objection: if the valence theory proves to be right, it may follow that pain is not unpleasant, contrary to folk intuitions about pain and pain avoidance. The valence theory finds support in research on pain exacerbation. It is also consistent with research on pain reduction.
