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Can a machine tickle?

C R Harris1, N Christenfeld

  • 1Department of Psychology-0109, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093-0109, USA. charris@psy.ucsd.edu

Psychonomic Bulletin & Review
|August 30, 2002
PubMed
Summary

People cannot tickle themselves, but this study found ticklish laughter doesn't require another person. An automated machine produced similar laughter responses as a human experimenter, supporting a reflex explanation for tickling.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Neuroscience
  • Human Behavior

Background:

  • The inability to self-tickle has been noted since Aristotle.
  • Two main theories exist: interpersonal (requiring another person) and reflex (requiring unpredictability).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the underlying mechanism of ticklish laughter.
  • To differentiate between interpersonal and reflex explanations for self-tickling inability.

Main Methods:

  • Thirty-five subjects experienced tickling from both an experimenter and a perceived automated machine.
  • Perceived source of touch was manipulated to test its effect on ticklish responses.

Main Results:

  • Subjects exhibited similar levels of smiling, laughter, and wiggling when tickled by the machine versus the experimenter.
  • Self-reported ticklishness was comparable across both conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Ticklish laughter does not necessitate the perceived involvement of another person.
  • Findings support the reflex explanation over the interpersonal explanation for tickling.

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