Research shows that feeling uncomfortable when watching others fidget is common. This reaction, known as misokinesia, refers to a “hatred of movements.”
It is similar to another condition known as misophonia by which people get irritated by certain repetitive sounds. However, misokinesia triggers are visual rather than sound-related, researchers explain.
Strong negative reaction
In 2021, a team of researchers, led by psychologist Sumeet Jaswal from the University of British Columbia in Canada, published a study to better comprehend this phenomenon.
The researchers described misokinesia as a strong negative reaction to seeing someone repeatedly fidgeting or making other repetitive movements, such as constantly bobbing their leg for a prolonged period of time.
To learn more, Jaswal and the team conducted what they called the first in-depth scientific exploration of this condition. The study revealed that, in fact, many people experience heightened sensitivity to fidgeting.
Experiments conducted to study misokinesia
The researchers conducted experiments with over 4,100 participants, including university students and the general public. They determined how common misokinesia is and its effects on those living with the condition.
The results showed that about one-third of participants reported some sensitivity to others’ fidgeting. This finding suggests that misokinesia is not just a clinical issue but a widespread social challenge faced by many.
Sensitivity patterns of misokinesia
Misokinesia can sometimes occur alongside misophonia, which describes a condition whereby a person finds certain sounds irritating. The intensity of misokinesia varies widely among individuals.
Some people are only mildly bothered by fidgeting, while others experience strong emotional reactions such as anger, anxiety, or frustration. These feelings can make social contexts, such as work and learning environments, less enjoyable, and causes some to avoid social activities altogether, according to University of British Columbia psychologist Todd Handy.
Handy became interested in studying misokinesia after learning that his fidgeting resulted in stress for his partner. As a visual cognitive neuroscientist, this discovery sparked his curiosity about what might be happening in the brain.
Why does fidgeting annoy people?
To find answers, researchers conducted tests to determine if misokinesia might be linked to how our brains process visual distractions. They wondered if people with misokinesia have heightened visual sensitivities, making it hard for them to ignore distracting movements.
However, early experiments provided no clear answers. Researchers found no solid evidence that visual attention mechanisms are a major factor in misokinesia. While the exact cause of the condition remains unknown, researchers have identified gaps in knowledge on the subject and implications for future studies.
One possibility they want to explore is the role of “mirror neurons,” which could be involved in this phenomenon. These neurons are activated when we ourselves move as well as when we observe others doing so.
The mirroring effect could explain why certain people are sensitive to fidgeting. Those with misokinesia might unconsciously empathize, though negatively, with the emotions of fidgeters.
Jaswal explained, “A reason that people fidget is because they’re anxious or nervous so when individuals who suffer from misokinesia see someone fidgeting, they may mirror it and feel anxious or nervous as well.”
Nonetheless, whether this truly explains misokinesia remains to be determined. Only further research can provide clearer answers. What is clear, however, is that misokinesia is more common than previously thought.
