Question

Some people cringe at the thought. Some scream and run away at the threat. But no matter how miserable the sensation of being tickled can be for many, it often evokes the same reaction: uncontrollable laughter.

But why?

It's a question that has puzzled some of the world's most famous minds, from Greek philosopher Aristotle to biologist Charles Darwin, for more than 2,000 years. The study of tickling has even been called "one of the broadest and deepest in science." And scientists still don't have all the answers. But they do know that humans aren't the only animals that laugh when they're tickled. Apes and rats do, too.

Most human laughter is provoked by seeing or hearing something funny, and the reaction depends on a person's sense of humor. But laughter from tickling is an instinctive physical response. And that, some scientists say, is just plain weird.

There are two main types of tickles. One is a light touch, like a bug crawling across the skin, which doesn't make people laugh. The type of tickle that causes laughter uses more pressure, usually on a sensitive spot such as on the feet, under the arms, or near the throat. This type of tickling activates the part of the brain that controls vocal and emotional reactions. It also activates the part of the brain that controls the human body's defense system known as the "fight-or-flight" response. That's what makes some scientists think it's possible that tickle laughter is a defense mechanism, a sign of submission to appease an aggressor and prevent injuries. Other scientists think tickling might have evolved as a way to encourage playfulness, since play is an important part of learning for social animals.

Several studies have shown that apes laugh a lot like humans when they're tickled, either by a person or another ape. And a 2016 study showed that rats have their own version of tickle giggles, emitting high-pitched squeaks that human ears aren't capable of hearing without help from technology. The rats in the study even chased around the tickling hand while they laughed.

The complex processes that cause humans and other animals to chuckle when they're tickled aren't fully understood, but scientists do have a clear answer to the question that bugged Aristotle long ago: Why can't people tickle themselves?

Here's the reason: One section of our brains knows the sensation is about to happen, so the part of our brains that controls the laughter response is suppressed.

QUESTION 1


1 / 4

This article is primarily about _________.

the puzzling question of why some animals laugh when they are tickled
similarities and differences between rats and other social animals
the human body's defense system and the part of the brain that controls it
two of the world's most famous philosophers and biologists

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

the puzzling question of why some animals laugh when they are tickled

Answer 2

Based on the article, which of these is true about tickling?

Scientists think that tickling evolved in social animals as a way to encourage hard work.
Scientists know that humans are the only animals that laugh when they are tickled.
Some types of tickling are a sign of anger and are used to provoke an aggressor.
Some tickling activates a part of the brain that controls vocal and emotional reactions.

Answer 3

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

Some tickling activates a part of the brain that controls vocal and emotional reactions.

Answer 4

Which passage from the article best supports the idea that tickle laughter can be a defense mechanism? The complex processes that cause humans and other animals to chuckle when they're tickled aren't fully understood. This type of tickling activates the part of the brain that controls…the human body's…"fight-or-flight" response. The study of tickling has even been called "one of the broadest and deepest in science." And scientists still don't have all the answers. Most human laughter is provoked by seeing or hearing something funny, and the reaction depends on a person's sense of humor.

Answer 5

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

This type of tickling activates the part of the brain that controls the human body's defense system known as the "fight-or-flight" response.

Answer 6

Which is the closest antonym for the word appease?

condemn
enrage
expose
cuddle

Answer 7

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

condemn