The psychology in psychoneuroendocrinology.

This paper reviews the psychology (P) of psychoneuroendocrinology (PNE). The relationship between the P factors and the endocrine responses (E) is described within cognitive reformulations of stress theory and activation theory. The formulations are valid across species, including man. The emphasis is on acquired expectancies, which are assumed to determine the physiological response, including the E responses. The terms coping, helplessness, and hopelessness are defined, and related to other labels covering the same or similar phenomena. The implications of contemporary P theory for the typical PNE experimental situations are discussed. Finally, the PNE positions outlined in 1968 by Mason is revisited. The 30 years of PNE research that followed confirm and expand his conclusions.