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The paper examines the correlation between sociocultural factors and pain perception. During the 17th century the basis for the modern understanding of pain was laid; pain became a physically determined phenomenon. Around the middle of the 19th century new methods were developed to deaden and anaesthetize pain. Since then, the interpretation and understanding of pain has been dominated by medical views. Sociocultural influences, which up to that time played an important role in dealing with pain, were pushed into the background. Yet, ethnological studies reveal impressive diversity in coping with pain. Pain perception and pain response is influenced by physical, psychological as well as cultural factors.