(touch)
After I have described the structure and structure of the nervous system, it is time to think about how this system works. It is very easy to see that in order for the nervous system to be able to direct the actions of the organism to the benefit of the latter, it must constantly evaluate the details of the environment. It is useless to lower the head quickly unless it is in danger of colliding with some object. On the other hand, it is very dangerous not to do so if such a threat exists.
In order to have an idea of the state of the environment, it is necessary to feel or perceive it. The body senses the environment through the interaction of specialized nerve endings with various environmental factors. The interaction is interpreted by the central nervous system in ways that differ from each other depending on the nature of the perceiving nerve endings. Each form of interaction and interpretation stands out as a special kind of sensory (sensory) perception.
In everyday speech, we usually distinguish between five senses - sight, hearing, taste, smell, and tactile sensitivity, or the sensation of touch. We have separate organs, each of which is responsible for one of the types of perception. We perceive images through the eyes, auditory stimuli through the ears, smells reach our consciousness through the nose, tastes through the tongue. We can group these sensations into one class and call specialized sensations, since each of them requires the participation of a special (that is, special) organ.
No special organ is required to perceive tactile sensations. The nerve endings that perceive touch are scattered over the entire surface of the body. Touch is an example of a general sensation.
We are quite bad at differentiating sensations, the perception of which does not require the participation of special organs, and therefore we speak of touch as the only sensation that we perceive with the skin. For example, we often say that an object is "hot to the touch" when, in reality, touch and temperature are perceived by different nerve endings. The ability to perceive touch, pressure, heat, cold and pain is united by the general term - skin sensitivity, since the nerve endings with which we perceive these irritations are located in the skin. These nerve endings are also called exteroceptors (from the Latin word "extra", which means "outside"). Exteroception also exists within the body, since the endings located in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract are, in fact, exteroceptors, since this tract communicates with the environment through the mouth and anus. One could consider the sensations resulting from irritation of these endings as a kind of external sensitivity, but it is distinguished into a special type called interoception (from the Latin word "intra" - "inside"), or visceral sensitivity.
Finally, there are nerve endings that transmit signals from the organs of the body itself - from the muscles, tendons, ligaments of the joints, and the like. Such sensitivity is called proprioceptive (“proprio” in Latin means “own”). It is proprioceptive sensitivity that we are least aware of, taking the results of its work for granted. Proprioceptive sensitivity is realized by specific nerve endings located in various organs. For clarity, we can mention the nerve endings located in the muscles, in the so-called specialized muscle fibers. When these fibers are stretched or contracted, impulses arise in the nerve endings, which are transmitted along the nerves to the spinal cord, and then, along the ascending tracts, to the brain stem. The greater the degree of stretching or contraction of the fiber, the more impulses are generated per unit time. Other nerve endings respond to pressure in the feet when standing or in the gluteal muscles when sitting. There are other types of nerve endings that respond to the degree of tension in the ligaments, to the angle of the relative position of the bones connected at the joints, and so on.
The lower parts of the brain process incoming signals from all parts of the body and use this information to coordinate and organize muscle movements designed to maintain balance, change uncomfortable body positions and adapt to external conditions. Although the body's normal work of coordinating movements while standing, sitting, walking or running eludes our consciousness, certain sensations sometimes reach the cerebral cortex, and thanks to them we are at any time aware of the relative position of our body parts. Without looking, we know exactly where and how our elbow or big toe is located, and with closed eyes we can touch any part of the body named to us. If someone bends our arm at the elbow, we know exactly what position our limb is in, and for this we do not need to look at it. In order to do this, we must constantly interpret the myriad combinations of nerve impulses that enter the brain from stretched or twisted muscles, ligaments, and tendons.
The various proprioceptive perceptions are sometimes lumped together under the heading of the position sense, or position sense. Often this sense is called kinesthetic (from the Greek words for "sense of movement"). It is not known to what extent this feeling depends on the interaction of the forces developed by the muscles with the force of gravity. This issue has become especially relevant for biologists in recent times, in connection with the development of astronautics. During long space flights, astronauts spend a long time in a state of weightlessness, when proprioceptive sensitivity is deprived of signals about the usual effects of gravity.
As for the exteroceptive sensitivity that perceives such modalities,
Scientists say that tactile sensations are a biological need for each of us. They play an important role in the formation of affection and love in every person. Touch is one of the ways of emotional influence that affects the healthy development of each organism.
Every person knows 5 senses with which we perceive this world. Touch or tactile sense- one of them. Thanks to the productive work of the nerve endings of our skin, which are located throughout the body, we feel pain, pressure, vibration, temperature and touch. The greatest tactile sensitivity have:
- tips of fingers and toes;
- Tip of the tongue.
At the same time, the skin of the back, abdomen and outer side of the forearms is, on the contrary, the smallest.
Touch - very important form of communication. Before learning to talk, a newborn baby communicates with his parents through tactile contact. With frequent communication with the child, the first prerequisites for strengthening psychological health are laid. According to psychologists, with the help of touch, parents convey to their child an emotional state of joy, love and tranquility. But unfortunately, every year the feelings are dulled.
Touch - what is it?
Feeling is some form of skin sensitivity person. As a rule, touch is due to the work of receptors. The nature of sensations is different and depends entirely on what they are caused by.
Touch is one of the first senses that a person develops from birth. Psychologists say that most of our abstract concepts are formed just from tactile sensations.
Types of touch and data from some studies
Basic types of touch
In our society, tactile sensations are used as one of the means of communication, some touching is ritual. Each culture has its own characteristics in this regard. For example, in India they use kisses on the shoulders, in Russia and Europe - kisses on the forehead and cheeks.
Also, tactile sensations are associated with the professional activity of a person. Doctors, hairdressers or trainers, while doing their job, touch another person. A special kind of intimate touch exists between close people.
In a person deprived of one of the sense organs, there is substitution at the expense of other sensations. For example, a blind person has a more developed hearing than a healthy one. Deaf and dumb people develop their tactile sensation to the highest level. Each of the types of sensations interact with each other and depend on each other.
Research aimed at studying the sense of touch
American scientists, after conducting a series of studies, proved that both men and women touch each other with the same frequency. There is only one difference - the age factor. Men are more likely to experience touch before the age of 30, women - after 50. During the study, it was also established that men like to touch the hand, and the woman likes the hand itself.
In addition, there have been several studies that have shown that tactile sensation can change a person's mind about the same product. For example, such an experiment: one passerby was given a resume in a large and heavy folder, the other - on one soft piece of paper. There is only one task - to tell what kind of person he is. In the first case, passers-by said that the person was serious and experienced, in the second case, not reliable, but simple and pleasant in communication.
Another study, which aimed to prove how much tactile sensation affects the human mind, was conducted using chairs. Two people took part in the experiment. The task was as follows: sitting on a chair, sell the car. The first subject sat on a soft chair, the second - on a hard and hard one. During the sale process, the first one was softer in communication with the buyer and easily lowered the price of the item being sold. The second subject was tough and persistent. It was difficult to bargain with him, because he was adamant about the price.
Thus, the tests of American scientists show that our decision largely depends on the influence of tactile sensations on us. People whose professions are closely related to communication with people are well acquainted with touch.
How do men and women react to touch?
Men and women may react differently to touch. It all depends on own status and social conditions.
The American Library decided to study this issue and conducted a series of experiments. In the first study, employees were required to either touch or not touch the hands of students who wanted to take books.
The girls touched by the employees while handing over the book reacted positively. They have made a good impression about the library and its services. The students, who were not touched by the employees, expressed their opinion about the library in a much more modest way, without superfluous praise. When the employees touched the hands of the guys, the students did not have any sensations.
In the next study, scientists have established how men and women react to tactile touch. The experiment was carried out in a surgical clinic, where doctors very often make tactile contact with their patient (this is part of their professional duties). After studying the frequency and duration of contacts with patients, a survey of patients was conducted in order to study their somatic and mental state.
Female patients who were touched by medical workers before the operation said that after tactile contact they were not afraid of the upcoming operation. At the end of the operation, health indicators were normal, which cannot be said about patients with whom there was no tactile contact before the operation.
In men, the opposite effect was observed. After tactile contact, blood pressure increased, which was not observed in those patients with whom nurses did not establish tactile contact before the operation.
Research results
- Based on the results of the studies, experts suggested that girls respond to tactile contact much better than men.
- According to psychologists, tactile contact between lovers carries positive energy, strengthening both organisms and prolonging their life.
- At any age, touch is soothing and relaxing. The heartbeat stabilizes, and the pressure returns to normal.
Tactile sensations Etymology.
Comes from lat. tactilis - tactile.
Category.Form of skin sensitivity.
Specificity.The sensations caused by touch, pressure, vibration, the action of texture and extension have a different character. They are caused by the work of two types of skin receptors: the nerve plexuses surrounding the hair follicles, and capsules consisting of connective tissue cells.
Psychological Dictionary. THEM. Kondakov. 2000 .
See what "tactile sensations" are in other dictionaries:
Tactile Feelings- a form of skin sensitivity, due to the work of two types of skin receptors: the nerve plexuses surrounding the hair follicles, and capsules consisting of connective tissue cells. The sensations caused by touch have a different character, ... ... Psychological Dictionary
TACTILE SENSATIONS- the same as tactile. Dictionary of foreign words included in the Russian language. Chudinov A.N., 1910 ... Dictionary of foreign words of the Russian language
tactile sensations- ▲ feeling touch tactile feeling feeling touch. touch. touch. tactile. tangibility. feel (fabric is soft #). groping. soft (# seat). solid. hard. itching. itch. itch. overthrow. itching. scabies (#… … Ideographic Dictionary of the Russian Language
Tactile sensations- (or tactile) see Touch, Skin ... Encyclopedic Dictionary F.A. Brockhaus and I.A. Efron
Tactile sensations- ... Wikipedia
Tactile mouth sensations- (mouthfeel): tactile sensations perceived in the oral cavity, including the tongue, gums, teeth ... Source: ORGANOLEPTIC ANALYSIS. DICTIONARY. GOST R ISO 5492 2005 (approved by Order of Rostekhregulirovanie dated December 29, 2005 N 491 st) ... Official terminology
Feel- Sensation (English sensation) is a mental reflection of the properties and conditions of the external environment, arising from direct impact on the sense organs, differentiated perception by the subject of internal or external stimuli and stimuli during ... ... Wikipedia
- (English tactile sensations) one of the types of skin sensitivity. O. t. include sensations of touch, pressure, vibration, texture and length (reflection of the area of the mechanical stimulus). Their occurrence is associated with the activity of 2 ... ...
Kinesthetic body sensations- Tactile sensations and internal senses, such as recalled impressions and emotions, as well as a sense of balance. In NLP, this term is used as a collective name for all sensations, including tactile, visceral (in internal organs) ... ... Dictionary of Neuro-Linguistic Programming
Tactile sensations and internal senses, such as recalled impressions and emotions, as well as a sense of balance. In NLP, this term is used as a collective name for all sensations, including tactile, visceral (in the internal organs) ... ... Great Psychological Encyclopedia
Books
- Tactile sensations, Sergey Slyusarenko. If one day you feel that the pen is slipping out of your hands, that familiar things have become alien, that everything around you is annoying - this is not necessarily crazy. Maybe you are on...
§eight. Tactile sensation of the blind
Tactile sensations are a complex set of a number of sensations - tactile sensations of touch and pressure, temperature (thermal and cold) and pain. These sensations arise when the outer integuments of the body come into contact with the - surface of the displayed objects. The result of this contact is the emergence in the brain of sensations that reflect the diverse properties and attributes of objects: size, elasticity, density, smoothness or roughness, heat, cold, etc. The mechanism of skin sensations is the activity of the skin-mechanical analyzer. Skin sensations are a contact type of reception. Together they form a passive sense of touch. The first studies of the thresholds of skin sensitivity of the blind were extremely controversial. Some researchers noted (p. 156) a sophistication of sensations, a high development of skin sensitivity (G.P. Nedler, V.I. Surov, etc.), others - the absence of any differences whatsoever (A.A. Krogius), still others - some decrease in sensitivity in the blind (A. V. Birilev). But regardless of the results, the researchers were unable to show the true significance of this type of sensitivity in the composition of touch for the cognitive activity of the blind. They believed that tactile sensitivity barks to the blind fundamentally different knowledge about the world than to the sighted, or, at best, inferior to the completeness, accuracy and integrity of the reflection, not only to vision. But also hearing, in connection with which the latter was considered as the main compensatory means.
Only materialistic psychology was able to reveal the role of skin sensations in the process of knowing the world in the absence of vision. They not only reflect the mechanical, spatial and temporal features and properties of objects, but also participate in the formation of the “scheme” of the body. In addition, skin sensations, and this is most important, form the signal basis of active touch - the leading type of perception of the blind.
The significance of the sensations of touch and pressure for the blind determined the focus of typhlopsychological research mainly on this type of sensitivity.
Tactile sensitivity is characterized by absolute and spatial discrimination thresholds of sensations. The absolute threshold of tactile sensitivity is a barely noticeable sensation of touch when an object is exposed to a certain area of the skin. Absolute sensitivity is measured using a set of Frey's hairs, which have different diameters and allow you to determine the pressure per square millimeter of skin.
Due to the fact that the skin-tactile receptors (Meissner bodies, Merkel bodies, etc.) are unevenly located in the skin, the absolute sensitivity to touch and pressure in different parts of the body is different. The most sensitive in normally seeing people are (in milligrams per square millimeter) the tip of the tongue - 2, the ends of the fingers - 3, the lips - 5; the lowest sensitivity was recorded on the surface of the abdomen - 26, lower back - 48, dense part of the sole - 250. (p. 157)
The spatial discrimination threshold of tactile sensitivity, or the acuteness of passive touch, is determined by the sensation of a separate touch of two stimuli. The spatial threshold is measured using Weber's compasses and is calculated in millimeters according to the distance between the legs of the compass that simultaneously touch the skin. As well as absolute, discriminative thresholds are not unambiguous for different areas of the skin. The highest sensitivity (in millimeters) is possessed by the tip of the tongue - 1.1, the ends of the fingers -.2.2, the lips - 4.5; smallest ~ neck - 54.1, hips and back - 67.4.
Complete or partial loss of vision leads to the fact that a number of objects and phenomena of the surrounding world, normally perceived visually, become objects of tactile perception, and their properties and features turn into tactile stimuli. In this regard, the activity of the distal parts of the body, especially the hands, sharply increases in the cognitive and labor activity of the blind, which naturally gives the effect of sensitization - an increase in tactile sensitivity.
A change (increase) in tactile sensitivity in the blind does not occur evenly in all areas of the skin, but only in those that take an active part in acts of touch. The increase in skin sensitivity is most clearly manifested on the palmar surface of the fingers. As esthesiometric studies show, the spatial threshold for distinguishing the first phalanx of the index finger of the right hand in the blind is almost two times less common (1.2 mm), and the sensitivity, therefore, is higher than in the normally seeing. Such an increase in sensitivity in this area of the skin is explained by the special practice of the blind - reading the relief-dot Braille, in which the index finger of the right hand plays the leading role.
However, the increase in absolute and discriminative sensitivity cannot fully explain the remarkable progress that the blind achieve in recognizing forms. Evidence of this is the decrease in the sharpness of the passive touch of the right hand of the blind, compared to the left, caused by thickening of the skin due to a greater load on the right hand in the processes of tactile perception. But this decrease in the sharpness of touch does not cause any noticeable deterioration in the recognition of various properties and qualities of objects. On the contrary, in the process (p. 158) of tactile perception, the right hand plays a leading role. Obviously, the recognition of shapes and objects depends not so much on the absolute and distinctive thresholds of skin sensitivity, but on the restructuring of the sensory organization and the improvement of the skills of tactile examination of objects. Of course, this does not mean that work on the development of tactile acuity in schools for the blind should not be carried out. The usefulness of exercises aimed at developing tactile sensitivity is beyond doubt, since the level of sensitivity characterizes the ability of the receptor to reflect stimuli acting on it.
Since touch is essential for the activity of the blind, it must be remembered that the thresholds of skin sensitivity are subject to serious fluctuations under the influence of environmental conditions. One of the factors most strongly affecting the acuity of touch is fatigue. According to Grisbach, the spatial threshold of the index finger of the right hand of the blind increases from 1.29 mm during non-working hours to 1.49 mm after mental work and up to 1.70 mm after physical work. Moreover, as Grisbakh established, fatigue has a stronger effect on the visual acuity of the blind than of the sighted.
The sharpness of touch also decreases under the influence of strong thermal and mechanical stimuli that cause pain. In addition, drugs and alcohol have a negative effect on skin sensitivity.
Constant exposure to these stimuli can lead to persistent reductions in the acuity of passive touch.
Interesting data are provided by A.Ts. Puni, who studied the influence of industrial labor on skin sensitivity and touch in general. He found that at the beginning, with a production experience of 1 to 5 years, the sensitivity increases by about 1.5 times, and then it begins to decrease. With an experience of more than 10 years, the tactile sensitivity of the blind falls below the initial level. From this follow certain recommendations for the professional orientation of the blind. According to these recommendations, for the blind, it is necessary to select work that is not associated with possible microtraumas and roughening of the skin of the hands.
In addition to an increase in the sharpness of touch, the blind have an increased ability to differentiate thermal (thermal and cold), pain stimuli. The sensations arising from (p. 159) the influence of these stimuli develop and improve in the blind in the process of activity.
Temperature sensitivity is quite widely used by the blind when orienting in the surrounding space, in everyday life, less often in cognitive activity. Due to the temperature sensitivity of the skin of the face and hands, the blind by the heat transfer of an object can judge its location (feel the presence of an obstacle), distinguish materials by thermal conductivity, localizing the source of heat (cold), determine the level of liquid in the vessel, the position of the sun, etc.
The cognitive significance of pain sensations for the blind, as well as for those who see normally, is insignificant.
Tactile, temperature and pain sensations rarely act in isolation. In the process of reflecting the physical-mechanical, spatial and temporal parameters of the objective world, they are combined into a complex complex, forming a passive, and when the muscular-articular sensations are turned on, an active sense of touch, which will be discussed in the next chapter.
Tactile contact is the secret weapon we get to create successful and lasting relationships. This is our language, given to us from birth. But over time, we forget about its importance. How can we return to natural communication?
Psychologists recommend, in order to remember, tactile contact to connect your imagination and imagine yourself in a bus crowded with people. Passengers, being half asleep, by inertia continue to reproduce their thoughts and emotions with the help of tactile sensations. A couple in love holds hands, a small child seeks support from his mother - he pulls his hands to her and calms down.
Types of communication
Everyone knows that we can communicate verbally and non-verbally. But the fact that quite complex emotions and desires can be conveyed with the help of movements and expressions is not known to many. We are careful with our touches, but we can receive and transmit signals with their help. That is, we have the ability to interpret tactile contact. When we touch another person, our brain displays an objective evaluation.
The most accurate and not at all the easiest way to communicate
The researchers concluded that with the help of voice, we can identify one or two positive signals - good mood and joy. However, research proves that feeling is a more precise and subtle way of communicating than voice sounds and facial expressions.
In addition, with the help of touches, you can increase the communication speed, that is, touching is the easiest way to signal something. Tactile contact with a man helps girls create a deeper sense of connection. Touch is also important in the relationship between mother and child, as we begin to receive even before birth. When a mother touches her child, she gives him a sense of security.
The Importance of Touch
A warm touch promotes a release that enhances feelings of affection and trust between people. This can also explain our habit of touching ourselves: rubbing our hands, stroking our forehead, hair. Tactile contact helps us experience all the same positive sensations that the person we touch also experiences. Research has shown that by hugging, we get as much benefit as the person we hug. In addition, by touching a person, we will receive information about his emotional state. We will find out how he is set up: friendly or hostile. Whether he is relaxed or tense. Such information will help us choose the right tactics in communication. Therefore, it can be said that tactile sensations are the easiest way to strengthen intimacy in a romantic relationship.
Tactile memory refers to memories of the sensations we experience when we touch an object. Let's say you once stroked a snake at the zoo, and now every time you see a snake (on TV, for example), you remember how cold its skin is.
Tactile memory is not connected with the organs of vision, they participate in it. Otherwise, we can talk about the joint work of visual and tactile memory. If vision is involved in memorization, then, as a rule, tactile sensations are not remembered by us.
