Alyssa is my deep thinker. This morning while I was doing her hair for school, she tickled her neck with her fingers and asked, "Mom, why when you try to tickle yourself, it doesn't tickle?"
I have ALWAYS wondered the same thing. If I could tickle myself, I wouldn't have to beg Ben to tickle my arm/back/head, etc.
But- I'm wondering if it has anything to do with control. Although you're expecting yourself or even someone else to tickle you (neck, feet, etc.) you don't have control over someone else's tickle. Just like if you're driving, and you and your passenger see that something is in the middle of the road and you have to stop quickly, the driver has control of the situation (how quickly you brake, etc) and both people react differently even though they both expect it, due to who has control and who doesn't. It doesn't tickle when you tickle yourself because you have control over it.
8 comments:
I think it's because you're expecting it.
But even if you're expecting it, it can still tickle. I expect the lady giving me a pedicure to touch my feet but I'm still ticklish...
I have ALWAYS wondered the same thing. If I could tickle myself, I wouldn't have to beg Ben to tickle my arm/back/head, etc.
But- I'm wondering if it has anything to do with control. Although you're expecting yourself or even someone else to tickle you (neck, feet, etc.) you don't have control over someone else's tickle. Just like if you're driving, and you and your passenger see that something is in the middle of the road and you have to stop quickly, the driver has control of the situation (how quickly you brake, etc) and both people react differently even though they both expect it, due to who has control and who doesn't. It doesn't tickle when you tickle yourself because you have control over it.
Just a thought...
I think I need to explain a little more...
When someone else touches you, your brain isn't sending messages to their fingers telling them to move, as is the case with ourselves.
Therefore, you can't be surprised or caught off guard by a message you are sending yourself.
Now go explain THAT to Alyssa!! :)
That is totally a great question. Just the kind of stuff I love to learn about.
http://www.howstuffworks.com/question511.htm
Amy, you're awesome. That link was very interesting!
I would like some credit for being right! :) And no, I didn't look it up first.
Atta Girl, Erin!
Don't you feel good about yourself?
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