Final answer:
Tara's lack of pain during the ballet recital can be explained by the gate control theory of pain, which states that pain signals can be inhibited by competing sensory input. The distraction and intense physical activity of ballet dancing may have reduced Tara's perception of pain.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tara's lack of pain during the ballet recital can be explained by the gate control theory of pain. According to this theory, pain signals can be inhibited by competing sensory input. In Tara's case, her focus and concentration on the performance may have distracted her from feeling the pain in her broken toe. The intense physical activity of ballet dancing also releases endorphins, natural pain-relieving chemicals in the body, which could have further reduced the perception of pain. Therefore, Tara's lack of pain during the recital can be attributed to a combination of distraction and the release of endorphins.