Why do we point / scratch on our Temples when we Think?
By incus99
@incus99 (1083)
Philippines
August 16, 2010 11:50am CST
The temples or the temporal area of the head is at upper lateral side of the eye. Its one of the thinnest part of the skull, that's why people tend to shoot that area when they blow their head with a gun during suicide. This same area is scratched during the thinking process..however, the temporal area of the brain does do the thinking but the frontal part which processes most of the primary information perceived by the senses...Why do we point or scratch this area during thinking? Does this mannerism enhance the thinking process? What do you think?
2 people like this
2 responses
@AutumnGold (1056)
•
16 Aug 10
Hello Incus. I've often wondered that myself. People also scratch their nose after telling a lie and stroke their chin when they're concentrating. I think people scratch their temples because they're trying to reach their brain to tune it in 
1 person likes this
@Valenas (1507)
• United States
19 Aug 10
There are some interesting points that have already been addressed in this thread. Unless I am sitting down, I do not tend to mess with my face unless I am pushing up my glasses or holding my head up. If I had to make a suggestion, I would say that I think some of these mannerisms come from something similar to the copycat effect*. This generation has watched films, read books, and witnessed other people in every conversation performing these behaviors. We pick up a lot of our behavioral traits from our environment.
*The copycat effect is best witnessed when two people are talking and they keep subconsciously mimicing each other. If you have never heard of this before, while you are midconversation with someone, do a few small things- such as crossing your arms, pushing up your glasses, scratching your head, shifting your stance, putting your hands in your pockets- and notice how the other person subconsciously reacts to your movements.
