Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 26, 2026

Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans
04:27

Using Facial Electromyography to Assess Facial Muscle Reactions to Experienced and Observed Affective Touch in Humans

Published on: March 15, 2019

Affective and sensory correlates of hair pulling in pediatric trichotillomania

Suzanne A Meunier1, David F Tolin, Martin Franklin

  • 1Anxiety Disorders Center, The Institute of Living/Hartford Hospital, Hartford, CT 06106, USA. smeunie@harthosp.org

Behavior Modification
|January 14, 2009
PubMed

Insights

Children

Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Pediatric Psychiatry
  • Behavioral Science

Background:

  • Hair pulling in children lacks sufficient empirical investigation.
  • Understanding affective and sensory states is crucial for classifying trichotillomania (TTM).
  • TTM is debated as an impulse control disorder or obsessive-compulsive spectrum disorder.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine children's self-reported affective and sensory states during hair pulling.
  • To investigate the differences between first-time and recent hair pulling experiences.
  • To contribute to the classification of trichotillomania.

Main Methods:

  • A questionnaire was administered to 15 pediatric participants.
  • Participants reported on affective and sensory experiences during hair pulling episodes.
  • Data focused on first and recent hair pulling instances.

Main Results:

  • Initial hair pulling was linked to both pleasure and pain.
  • Subsequent hair pulling episodes were primarily associated with pleasure.
  • The negative sensory aspects of hair pulling may decrease with repetition.

Conclusions:

  • Hair pulling in children may be reinforced by pleasure, diminishing punitive qualities over time.
  • Findings support classifying hair pulling as an impulse control disorder.
  • Further research on pediatric hair pulling is warranted.

More Related Videos

Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin07:51

Intravital Two-Photon Imaging of Touch Sensory Axon Morphology in Mouse Skin

Published on: December 30, 2025

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors04:59

Cheek Injection Model for Simultaneous Measurement of Pain and Itch-related Behaviors

Published on: September 27, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair and Hair Follicles01:16

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair and Hair Follicles

Hair and hair follicles are integral components of the integumentary system. Hair is a filamentous structure composed mainly of a protein called keratin. It is found on the surface of the skin throughout the body, except for areas such as the palms of the hands and soles of the feet.
Hair is a keratinous filament growing out of the epidermis. It is primarily made of dead, keratinized cells. Hair strands originate at the epidermal penetration called the hair follicle. The hair shaft is the part...
Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types01:20

Accessory Structures of the Skin: Hair Growth and Types

Hair growth begins with the production of keratinocytes by the basal cells of the hair bulb. As new cells are deposited at the hair bulb, the hair shaft is pushed through the follicle toward the surface. Keratinization is completed as the cells are pushed to the skin surface to form the shaft of hair that is externally visible. The external hair is completely dead and composed entirely of keratin. Hair can be cut or shaven without damaging the hair structure because the cut is superficial. Most...
Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles01:30

Assessment of Airway, Skin Color, and Use of Accessory Muscles

A thorough assessment of respiratory health is paramount in clinical settings to identify and manage respiratory distress and ensure adequate oxygenation. This article elaborates on the critical aspects of respiratory evaluation, including airway assessment, skin color examination, and the observation of accessory muscle use, which are integral to effectively diagnosing and managing patients with respiratory conditions.
Introduction
The initial evaluation of a patient's respiratory system...
Facial Feedback Hypothesis01:24

Facial Feedback Hypothesis

Charles Darwin proposed that facial expressions are an evolutionary adaptation for communication. He argued that these expressions are not influenced by culture but are universal across species. For example, a snarling expression with exposed teeth signals a threat in many animals, including humans. Darwin also suggested that displaying an emotion can intensify the feeling. Smiling, for example, could enhance one's sense of happiness. This idea laid the foundation for understanding the role of...