Absence of a skin problem when scratching ourselves, the release of chemical mediators including histamine under the skin is responsible for itching. Histamine maintains also an awaking state within the central nervous system and trigger of immune response; contraction of the bronchi and intestines including rapid heartbeat. The release of chemical mediators -such as histamine- maintain the awaking state within the central nervous system.
Scratching relieves us from the itch. Nails scratching on the skin blocks the electrical activity of histamine. Neuron receptors are disabled during the sequence of scraping by a yet unknown nervous mechanism (G.Giesler & al., University of Minnesota, 2009).
“Scratching is one of the sweetest and most at hand satisfactions of nature "
Michel de Montaigne
Scratching the body can be categorized as a small (micro) movement.
Mostly difficult to observe because the action is surreptitious and usually very fast. But a trained eye can distinguish a micro movement in a 50th of a second and the exact position of the hand and its direction.
The latter is of great importance when analyzing body language.
A micro movement is the expression of an emotion on the face or body.
Appearing on body or face, a fleeting touch generally is better readable due to muscle reactions. That is to say muscle contractions or muscle relaxation.
We may amplify or repress emotions, shown in micro expressions (micro attitudes) when one of our hands comes in between to relief us from the itch during these precise moments. They are the product of an interaction; the hand 'must' move towards the face or body, usually without even thinking about it. Fascinating...isn't it?
Hands are the visible part of the brain.
Brain activity is not unique. Several types of thoughts run at the same time. Some run in the same direction, others are contradictory. Towards the environment and its stimuli, we initially have essential instinctive reactions and secondary thoughts -that we realize later in order to allow us calibrating- because often we balance between two different thoughts. Example: when we are afraid facing negative stimuli, we react very quick and realise later that we were wrong to be afraid, which results in contradictory thoughts.
In a number of circumstances the hand goes to a specific part of the face or body to translate bodily contradictions, for us to read analyzing the non spoken message. If we become aware of these unconscious gestures they become gestures driven by an inner attitude. In that case they are accompanying and conscious gestures of a different type and can be: 1) figurative: describing our words, 2) symbolic - (sub-)culture related, projective when we share an emotion, or 4) engram: digging thought, depending the nature of the subject and emotion.
Micro caresses and micro fixations have one thing in common: the hand is placed on the body and hardly moves. Micro caresses move very little and are lascivious, while micro-fixations do not move at all.
Both types of gestures previously were not differentiated in non-verbal literature. Freedmann & Steingart are the first to distinguish "Centered gestures on an object" and "Gestures centered on the body."
Paul Ekman and Friesen pointed out self- centered actions on the body like acts to secure the attention of our interlocutor. Research by neurobiologists shows better understanding what exactly are micro-scratches (among others: D. Kimura ("The Neural Basis of gesture” - H. Whitaker and Whitaker)
Scratching yourself fleetingly while in conversation reflects an unexpressed emotion. The exact location and movement explain the hidden thought.
If gestures are made on the body, they usually show a repressed state of being.
Micro Movements appear each time when the hand intervenes on body or face while an emotion is not expressed by words.
Micro attitudes can be classified into
1) a micro itch,
2) a micro caresse or
3) micro fixation.
- micro itches: reflecting a shift or contradiction between what we think and say
- micro caresses: narcissistic, focused on oneself or aimed for the other (when we agree or feel fine with the other)
- micro fixations: reflecting a state of manifested concentration or disinterest. In this case the body or eyelids may tell us more.
If we dare to express, act or verbalize the contradiction (which is the source of the itch), the need to scratch disappears!
Summary.
Reasons for scratching:
Pathology; eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections, varicella scabies, allergies, lung cancer, wound, etc.
Imitation of (generational) transmission of acquired behavioral bodily patterns
Contagious (fusional): talking about itching or observed among others
Motor neuron: a planned bodily action, deferred in time
Mental: expression of emotional and/or cognitive discomfort.
© Gerard Stokkink
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