Fidgeting can be a distracting and annoying behavior for many people, but why? According to a recent study, approximately one-third of the population experiences misokinesia, a condition characterized by an intense emotional response to seeing others fidget.
Researchers defined misokinesia as a strong negative affective or emotional response to the sight of someone else’s small and repetitive movements. The study, led by psychologist Sumeet Jaswal, aimed to investigate this phenomenon in a large cohort of university students and people from the general population.
The results showed that misokinesia sensitivity was not limited to clinical populations, but rather is a common social challenge shared by many. Participants reported feelings of anger, anxiety, or frustration when exposed to fidgeting behaviors, which could lead to reduced enjoyment in social situations, work, and learning environments.
While the study found no conclusive evidence that visual attentional sensitivities contributed to misokinesia sensitivity, researchers suggest that mirror neurons may play a role. These neurons activate when we move but also when we see others move, potentially leading to an unconscious empathy with fidgeters that can exacerbate the condition.
The study highlights that misokinesia is not just a rare phenomenon, but rather a common challenge faced by many people. To those suffering from this condition, researchers say: “You are not alone.” The findings underscore the need for further research into this unusual condition and its effects on individuals.
Source: https://www.sciencealert.com/misokinesia-phenomenon-could-affect-1-in-3-people-study-reveals