Ticklishness notes: Difference between revisions
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Ticklishness refers to a few different responses, and implies a few more reflexes. | |||
There is '''knismesis''', the must-scratch-or-stop response to light touches like feathers - or indeed insects or spiders, so this makes sense as a sort of defense mechanism. | |||
It seems common to mammals. | |||
Then there's '''gargalesis''', which is the laughing response. This is seen is primates only. | |||
It's usually to harder touches | |||
The idea here is that most of your ticklish areas are also more vulnerable, | |||
so that this is another defense mechanism, or supports the teaching of self defense - and the positive facial expression means the tickler wouldn't instinctively stop doing it | |||
Laughter from being tickled seems part of a fight-or-flight response, | |||
part of training your offspring to defend itself and laughter is the failure to do so. | |||
In humans, it is more the choice not to fight, and effectively to react submissively instead. | |||
It also seems related to pain, both its anticipation and, as far as your reflexes are concerned, an analogue of the pain sensation. | |||
If those are the real reasons, | |||
these are reflexes and would be hard to affect to a large degree, | |||
even though their baseline seems to vary from person to person. | |||
Most people can't tickle yourself, or can barely get the response. | Most people can't tickle yourself, or can barely get the response. | ||
Assuming the theory above, this would be because your brain knows what to expect. | Assuming the theory above, this would be because your brain knows what to expect, | ||
that there is no threat, or pain. | |||