Book 2, Question 3 · Video
Why Can't We Tickle Ourselves?
Have you ever tried to tickle yourself? It just does not work! Tickles need surprise, and your brain predicts your own touch. Scientists have even fooled the brain with a robot arm
Read the full answer →What Crafty Clover says in this video
Intro
Hey there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. Why can't we tickle ourselves?
The Big Idea
Have you ever tried to tickle yourself? It just does not work! Tickles need surprise, and your brain predicts your own touch. When you already know what is coming, there is nothing surprising to tickle you. So let's see how the brain does it!
You Move
Step one: you move. When you reach out to touch your own foot, your brain plans that movement first. So your brain already knows exactly what your hand is about to do, and exactly where it will land.
Brain Predicts
Step two: the brain predicts the touch. A part of the brain called the cerebellum helps predict what your own moves will feel like. It says, I knew that was coming!
Surprise Turns Down
Step three: the surprise gets turned down. Because the touch was predicted, your brain turns down the feeling, like lowering a volume dial. With no surprise, there is no giggle. Your brain simply treats it as an ordinary touch.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at two kinds of touch. With a self tickle, your brain has a predicted touch. It says, I knew that was coming! With a friend tickle, the touch is a surprise. Your brain says, that's new! And that is when the giggles come.
Quick Facts
Quick facts! The cerebellum helps predict your own moves. Scientists have even fooled the brain with a robot arm that adds a tiny delay to a self-touch. A delayed touch feels more ticklish! A friend's tickle is a surprise, because your brain did not plan it. So the secret ingredient of a tickle is surprise. It takes another person to make one!
Think Like a Scientist
Now, think like a scientist! Try a light touch on your own foot, and notice how it feels. Is it ticklish? Now let a grown-up try the same light touch, and only if you say yes. Compare the two. Which one felt more ticklish, and why do you think so?
Outro
Your brain is a super predictor, and that is why only surprises make you giggle! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!