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Toward a Medical Anthropology of Sensations: Definitions and Research Agenda

Harvard University, devon_hinton{at}hms.harvard.edu

David Howes

Concordia University, howesd{at}alcor.concordia.ca

Laurence J. Kirmayer

McGill University, laurence.kirmayer{at}mcgill.ca

In this article, we outline the importance of a medical anthropology of sensations for theories of psychopathology and psychological healing. We define what is meant by `sensation' (differentiating monomodal and polymodal sensations) and describe some of the mechanisms that generate and amplify sensations. We propose the heuristic use of the concepts of sensation schemas, sensation interpretants, and sensation scripts. We argue against the naive assumption that sensation experience is the same across cultures. Finally, we consider how healing may occur through `sensation semiosis.'

Key Words: semiotics • sensation • sensory modalities • somatic symptoms

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