Psychosomatic Medicine 21:142-149 (1959)
© 1959 American Psychosomatic Society

Extensions of Theory Concerning Body Image and Body Reactivity

¹ Baylor University College of Medicine and Houston State Psychiatric Institute, Houston, Texas

Previous research findings have indicated that important socialization experiences may become translated into body image attitudes and these in turn into body reactivity gradients or landmarks. On this basis a theory is offered that proposes that many of the crucial roles learned by the individual need to be transposed into body attitudes before they can become an integral part of his identity. A further formulation is offered that views many psychosomatic symptoms as representing distorted attempts by individuals under stress to maintain fading body excitation landmarks whose existence have considerable reassurance value.