#Misokinesia

A significant new study has found that nearly one in three people experiences intense negative emotions simply from watching others fidget—an under-recognized social phenomenon known as misokinesia. This surprising discovery, published in the journal Scientific Reports, shines a spotlight on a little-discussed irritation that could reshape our understanding of social interaction, mental wellbeing, and even workplace dynamics (ScienceAlert; MSN).

For many Thais, enduring others’ repetitious movements—from bouncing knees on the BTS to pen-clicking in classrooms—is a daily challenge. However, this latest research marks the first comprehensive scientific attempt to map the prevalence and impact of such visual triggers, highlighting that far more of us are affected than previously thought. As the Thai workforce becomes increasingly urban and social environments grow denser, the findings have particular resonance for local readers facing crowded spaces and fast-changing societal norms.

A groundbreaking international study finds that roughly one in three people experience misokinesia — intense distress triggered by watching others’ repetitive movements such as foot-tapping, pen-clicking, or fidgeting. For Thailand’s crowded cities and collectivist culture, these findings have wide implications for workers, students, and families navigating bustling spaces from Bangkok’s transit hubs to tight office environments.

The research marks the first large-scale effort to map how visual movement triggers affect daily life. In Thailand, where enduring others’ small movements in crowded spaces is part of daily reality, these results illuminate a psychological challenge that has often gone unrecognized by schools and workplaces.

Revolutionary psychological research reveals that nearly one in three people worldwide suffer from an unrecognized condition called misokinesia—intense emotional distress triggered by witnessing repetitive movements like foot-tapping, pen-clicking, or nervous fidgeting—findings with profound implications for Thailand’s increasingly dense urban environments and collectivist social culture. This groundbreaking study published in Scientific Reports illuminates a widespread phenomenon that affects millions of Thai workers, students, and families navigating crowded spaces from Bangkok’s packed BTS trains to cramped office environments throughout the kingdom.

Recent research shines a light on misokinesia, a visceral aversion to watching others perform small, repetitive movements. Studies suggest up to one in three people may experience noticeable discomfort, with implications for social life, work, and education—issues that resonate in Thai communities as well.

Misokinesia is defined as a strongly negative emotional reaction to seeing minor repetitive movements such as finger tapping, foot bounce, pen clicking, fidgeting, chewing, or nervous tics. While the term may be new to many, researchers at the University of British Columbia and colleagues reported in reputable journals that a significant portion of the population experiences this visual sensitivity. The findings come from a survey of more than 4,000 people, revealing that roughly one-third reported meaningful distress triggered by such movements. For some, the impact is minor; for others, it can shape where they feel comfortable, how they work, and how they socialize. In Thai workspaces and classrooms characterized by close collaboration, these effects can be especially pronounced.

A recent wave of scientific research has brought attention to a previously little-known condition called misokinesia—an aversion to the sight of others’ repetitive movements—which is now estimated to affect nearly one in three people worldwide. Emerging evidence indicates that this visual sensitivity is as pervasive as it is misunderstood, profoundly influencing social interactions and mental well-being, including within Thai society.

Misokinesia, a term translating literally as “hatred of movement,” refers to the strong negative emotional responses—ranging from mild annoyance to intense psychological distress—that some individuals experience when witnessing small, repetitive movements performed by others. Examples include finger tapping, leg bouncing, pen clicking, fidgeting with objects, chewing motions, or nervous tics (Futura Sciences). While the concept may be unfamiliar to the general public, new research led by psychologists at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and published in Nature/Scientific Reports in 2021 has shown it is far from rare.

A growing body of research suggests that misokinesia, the discomfort or frustration some people feel when they see others engage in small repetitive movements like fidgeting, may affect up to one in three individuals worldwide. This insight sheds light on a subtle but widespread social challenge that influences how people collaborate and learn in shared spaces.

Misokinesia, literally meaning “hatred of movement,” has attracted attention as a distinct and under-explored phenomenon separate from misophonia, which is a negative reaction to certain sounds. The initial study, led by a researcher at a major Canadian university, sought to gauge how common misokinesia is and how it shapes everyday experiences through surveys and experiments involving more than 4,000 participants. Data from this research shows misokinesia is not limited to those with mental health conditions; it can affect anyone in social, educational, and work settings, often reducing enjoyment and participation in group activities. A senior psychologist at the same institution highlighted how personal experiences—such as a partner’s fidgeting—can trigger this psychological burden, underscoring its real-world impact.

Research has revealed that “misokinesia,” a discomfort or frustration induced by witnessing others engage in small, repetitive movements such as fidgeting, could affect one in three people globally. This insight into human perception and emotion highlights a widespread, often unnoticed social challenge with significant implications for how we interact in shared environments.

The phenomenon of misokinesia—literally “hatred of movement”—remained largely unstudied until recently. This psychological reaction, distinct from its better-known auditory counterpart, misophonia (negative reactions to specific sounds), offers a window into how some individuals experience the world differently. The original study, spearheaded by researcher Sumeet Jaswal at the University of British Columbia (UBC), sought to unravel the prevalence and impact of misokinesia through experiments involving over 4,100 participants source.