Biological and Social Determinants of Children Tactile Sense

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of biological and social factors on children's and adolescents' tactile sensitivity. Five hundred and ninety three subjects aged between seven and seventeen were examined. Absolute pressure sensitivity tresholds were determined by Semmes-Weinstein Pressure Aesthesiometer. This was correlated with age, body height and weight, sex, inteligence and socio-economic status of the subjects' families. Treshold feeling of touch is relevant to the age of the subjects studied – the youngest were the most sensitive (table 1 and 2).

No statistically significant differences were found in the sensitivity of the left and right hand of the subjects, nor in the sensitivity of left and right-handed children. Also no difference was found with respect to sex. The social factors responsible for the socio-economic status of the subjects' families and inteligence of the examined individuals turned out to be significant. The highest rank characterised children of high intelligence, from rich small families. This group were the subjects with the most sensitive hands (table 3 and 4).

This study confirmed other evidence of the relation between social stratification in Poland and biological development.