Are We Programmed to Laugh When Tickled?
Do we learn to laugh when tickled or is it an innate response? That is the question psychologist Professor Clarence Leuba set himself to examine using his own children, no less, as experimental subjects.
In 1933 he decided that he would not laugh in the presence of his first child while tickling him (Leuba, 1941). Everyday life in the Leuba household, therefore, was devoid of tickling except for one special experimental period. During this period he would cover his own face with a mask while tickling his son so his facial expression was hidden.
Even the tickling was experimentally controlled. First he would tickle lightly, then more vigorously. First under the armpit, then the ribs, followed by chin, neck, knees and feet.
Mrs Leuba slips up
Reportedly all went well until late April 1933 when his wife suddenly forgot all the protocols. After her son's bath she accidentally administered a short bout of bouncing up and down on her knee with laughter while using the words: "Bouncy, bouncy"!
Was the experiment ruined? Leuba wasn't sure. But after seven months, with only one bout of laughter associated with tickling the results were in. His son happily laughed away when tickled. It appeared that laughing when tickled is an innate response.
Leuba wasn't satisfied with this, though, and set about carrying out the same test on his next child, a girl. This time the same experimental procedure was administered and Mrs Leuba's "Bouncy, bouncy" tendencies were apparently kept at bay for seven months. At the end Leuba got the same results - his daughter began to spontaneously laugh when tickled despite never having been shown how.
Tickling tips
But it wasn't all experimental procedures and faces hidden behind masks in the Leuba household, indeed Professor Leuba must have become an expert tickler.
He found the best way to make his children laugh was to tickle them along the ribs and under the arms. The element of surprise was also important in producing maximum giggling response. He observed that his children would control the level of tickling by holding his finger, but would then demand more tickling.
Who says science isn't a laugh?
» This experiment is included in a new book: 'Elephants on Acid: And Other Bizarre Experiments
» Read more weird psychology studies.
Reference
Leuba, C. (1941) Tickling and laughter: two genetic studies. Journal of Genetic Psychology, 58, 201-9.
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Fortunately ,neither of my parents was psychologists ,otherwise I would be confused by that why my father so seriousness even while tickling me .
novertheless ,an interesting live's experiments.
Tickling is sadism. Just because the response is laughter, a nervous reaction, we shouldn't assume that the victim likes the experience.
@ Lao Qiao. Correct. While we shouldn't assume, just because of the laughter, that tickling is an enjoyable experience, there is other behavior we can use. In the article, the author states that the children would control the level of intensity of tickling, and would often ask for more. I think it is reasonable to assume that when someone asks for something, it is because it is enjoyable for them.
I'm not ticklish which frustrated my kids to no end. It also resulted in them "tickling" to the point of digging their little, pointy fingers into my sides with all their strength. Of course this did get a "result" out of me which pleased them to no end. Seemed like getting a reaction to tickling was also something to roll on the floor laughing over.
This is one reason I never had any children--I would definitely have performed experiments on them like this one. So now all of you who are not the children I might have had, count your blessings.
I think that its disgusting to use your poor children as lab rats, while you try to prove some scientific experiment to be true. If you wanted to test systems you should have became the ginnipig on which the experiments took place, no wonder so many people are in therapy its because parents like you.
Wow--the commenters here are pretty harsh.
"its disgusting to use your poor children as lab rats"--Yes, I hope the children somehow get over the trauma of being tickled.
I can't think of any reason why the kids would have developed any serious mental issues.
The article doesn't say that they weren't cared for or showed love, only that they weren't tickled.
Furthermore with my low psychology skills it would be easy to assume that the child learns to laugh when tickled as the parent does so.
The Mayor, human diversity never ceases to amaze does it?!?!
Anon, yes.
See sociaty takes things so out of text. tickling okay
some of the comments act like it was abuse. I feel sorry for those of you who wanted to be tickled and was deprived. He performed a experiment which caused no external or internal damage. They laughed they didn't cry. make sure you guys are in the right field
tickling can be agony.
I have seen some kids being really thoroughly tickled whilst completely immobilised, way beyond their limits.
Their reactions were generally intensely hysterical and frantic. One of them was excrutiatingly ticklish, especially on his soles and belly but the tickler gave no let up.
Very cute and totally harmless. It is only tickling.
omg all your comments are so funny HAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA but the experiment seems retarded the poor child saw his father in a mask when being tickled!?! theres going to be some signs of psychotic behaviour there in his adulthood people!!
My son laughs like crazy when he is tickled on the back or ribs. It seems to me to be a natural response, rather than something learned.
I'm not ticklish in the least which makes me sad. I really wish that I was ticklish=~/.