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the claim

Somatosensory prediction attenuation prevents humans from tickling themselves

the verdict
SUPPORTED
the evidence backs this
Recorded sources
5 sources for · 0 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that somatosensory prediction attenuation prevents humans from tickling themselves?

Yes. Extensive psychological and neuroimaging evidence demonstrates that internal forward models in the brain generate predictive signals about self-produced movements, which attenuate somatosensory feedback and prevent humans from successfully tickling themselves.

Verdict: SUPPORTED · 5 sources for, 0 against · Last checked

The analysis

The claim is a specific and empirically testable proposition about motor control and somatosensory perception. Multiple highly cited papers and fMRI studies consistently support the forward-model/efference-copy theory of sensory attenuation as the underlying mechanism preventing self-tickling, with no papers refuting this core phenomenon.

Evidence for · 5
The emulation theory of representation: Motor control, imagery, and perception
2004
Discusses how internal models use efference copies during motor control to provide expectations and reduce sensory feedback effects.
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Grush, R. (2004). The emulation theory of representation: Motor control, imagery, and perception. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1017/s0140525x04000093

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More for · 4
Why canʼt you tickle yourself?
2000
Proposes that attenuation of self-produced tactile stimulation (such as tickling) is driven by sensory predictions from internal forward models.
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Blakemore, S., Wolpert, D. M., & Frith, C. (2000). Why canʼt you tickle yourself?. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1097/00001756-200008030-00002

Motor imagery involves predicting the sensory consequences of the imagined movement
2018
Demonstrates that imagined self-touch also produces sensory attenuation, supporting the role of forward models in predicting sensory consequences.
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Kilteni, K., Andersson, B. J., Houborg, C., & Ehrsson, H. H. (2018). Motor imagery involves predicting the sensory consequences of the imagined movement. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-018-03989-0

Attenuation of Self-Generated Tactile Sensations Is Predictive, not Postdictive
2006
Provides evidence that sensory attenuation of self-generated touch relies on a predictive process rather than postdictive judgment.
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Bays, P. M., Flanagan, J. R., & Wolpert, D. M. (2006). Attenuation of Self-Generated Tactile Sensations Is Predictive, not Postdictive. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pbio.0040028

Functional Connectivity between the Cerebellum and Somatosensory Areas Implements the Attenuation of Self-Generated Touch
2019
Shows that corticocerebellar functional connectivity implements the predictive attenuation of self-generated touch, explaining why it feels less ticklish.
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Kilteni, K. & Ehrsson, H. H. (2019). Functional Connectivity between the Cerebellum and Somatosensory Areas Implements the Attenuation of Self-Generated Touch. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1523/jneurosci.1732-19.2019

What does the evidence say?

The claim is a specific and empirically testable proposition about motor control and somatosensory perception. Multiple highly cited papers and fMRI studies consistently support the forward-model/efference-copy theory of sensory attenuation as the underlying mechanism preventing self-tickling, with no papers refuting this core phenomenon.

Receipt History
first checked31 Jul 2026
judged → SUPPORTED · 9531 Jul 2026
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