The pleasures of grooming - evolution evidence?

Sl'askia · #1 03-05-2002, 01:07 AM

I thought occured to me last night. Often times I enjoy having my hair brushed, especially by someone else. I remember when I was younger often asking my mom to brush my hair for me because I liked the feeling of it. I know the other females in my family enjoy this as well and I am sure the males do as well.
Now what the heck does this have to do with evolution?
Primates groom to reinforce social bonds and friendships, as well as establish new bonds in attempts to get support during an individuals quest to achieve a higher social rank. I am sure the grooming is also pleasurable to them as well. I think, the pleasure we feel when we are getting our hair brushed by others comes from the times when our ancestors still lived like monkeys and apes.
What do you think?

MojoMan220 · #2 03-05-2002, 01:13 AM

...Or maybe it just feels good. This is quite deep for a topic like this!

Steve · #3 03-05-2002, 01:21 AM

well I myself don't even get groomed, I haven't even combed my hair in a LONG time, possibly a couple of months. that aside it makes alot of sense although it is one of the smallest possible evidence I've heard. in the words of zaphod beeblebrox(I think it was him)"listen, you semi-evolved simian.

Doug · #4 03-05-2002, 01:53 AM

Interesting thought, Rachel. I generally don't like to be touched by someone I'm not extremely familiar with -- I would never get a massage by a stranger, although they seem to be all the rage. But, but I love the sensation of having the hair on the back of my head being brushed up -- I really don't care who's doing it (not that it happens all that often). I know that grooming is a very prominent behavior in many primates, but I never thought my enjoyment of having my hair brushed could be connected to that. You might be onto something there.

abe22 · #5 03-05-2002, 02:40 AM

When I was 8 years old my hair was very long. My mum used to brush it all the time and it looked really nice but when I tried to do it, well I think yous know what I'm going to say. Now my hair is short and it it's easy to brush. I love it when someone else brushes my hair. Well anyway that's quite interesting Rach it makes a lot of sense.

Gluk Schmuck · #6 03-05-2002, 01:48 PM

Mine's never been long enough to brush it so I must be missing out.

One, Two, Middlesboogie · #7 03-05-2002, 03:30 PM

I think that's a very good theory, Rach... I'm sure it's probably been proved by some geneticists.

The added benefit of grooming is that it removes parasites, as well as serving to strengthen social and friendly bonds.

I love having my hair brushed... all this reading about it makes me want to go and get it done now. I like having my head scratched lightly as well; that's probably a parasite-removal thing.

Danny · #8 03-05-2002, 08:27 PM

I generally comb my hair two or three times a day. I love the feeling, actually, and if I'm really bored, I sometimes just sit and brush my hair for half an hour or so...

RoN_Rancor · #9 03-05-2002, 09:23 PM

The only time anyone other than I comb my hair is when I get a hair cut. I absolutely hate getting hair cuts and having the people comb my hair. I don't like combing my own hair either. I spend maybe 30 seconds combing my own hair before school. If I don't have to go anywhere, I don't comb it at all. For the most part, I don't want anyone to touch me at all. Maybe I'm just weird...

Statikk HDM · #10 03-05-2002, 10:22 PM

I never comb. I run my hand through my hair a lot, though. Well, maybe it feels good for you but i got thikk curly hair and it hurts like a bitch if I comb it! How does this prove ancestry though. Monkeys scratch themselves, I do too! Must mean I'm evolved from them!

PinkHaired Mudokon CWR · #11 03-05-2002, 11:02 PM

Yeah, I brush my hair to get the fleas out of my hair!

Sydney · #12 03-06-2002, 04:07 AM

As Middlesboogie said, it also helps with the hygene. A cleaner creature/person has a lesser chance of contracting a disease, therefore increasing their chances of survival thus being able to pass on their genes!

Personally, I don't like my hair to be combed. I just let it do as it does.

Gluk Schmuck · #13 03-06-2002, 02:07 PM

I remember now that when I was iccle my mum used to give me scalp massages and I loved them!