荷兰研究者Ziliang Xiong和Konstantina Kilteni对来自中文、荷兰语和希腊语文化背景的149至150人进行了挠痒体验的调查研究[1]。研究发现，不同文化背景的人群在挠痒反应和身体敏感部位的选择上没有显著差异[1]。
调查显示，超过98%的受访者曾被他人挠过痒，而超过95%的人则挠过他人[1]。腋下、腹部和脚底被确认为最容易被挠痒的部位[1]。研究团队测试了五种主要理论来解释为何某些身体部位对挠痒更敏感，结果表明触觉接触频率最低的部位最容易产生挠痒反应[1]。这项研究成果已发表在《Nature Human Behaviour》期刊上[1]。
挠痒现象并非人类独有。黑猩猩、大猩猩和红毛猩猩都具有被挠痒的反应，老鼠被挠痒时甚至会发出类似咯咯笑的声音[1]。此外，研究还发现挠痒频率在儿童期高于成年期[1]。
Researchers Ziliang Xiong and Konstantina Kilteni from the Netherlands conducted a cross-cultural investigation into tickling experiences among 149 Mandarin Chinese speakers, 150 Dutch speakers, and 149 Greek speakers [1]. The study, published in Nature Human Behaviour, found no significant differences in tickling responses or sensitivity of body parts across these three cultural groups [1].
The research revealed remarkably high prevalence of tickling experiences universally: more than 98 percent of respondents reported being tickled, while over 95 percent said they had tickled someone else [1]. The armpits, abdomen, and soles of the feet emerged as the most commonly ticklish body areas across all participants [1]. When testing five major theories to explain why certain body regions are more susceptible to tickling, the researchers discovered that areas with the lowest frequency of tactile contact proved most ticklish [1]. Beyond humans, the phenomenon appears evolutionarily rooted: chimpanzees, gorillas, and orangutans all display tickling responses, and rats emit sounds resembling laughter when tickled [1]. Additionally, tickling frequency peaks during childhood and decreases in adulthood [1].
