Hand clasping

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"Hand folding" redirects here. For the act of hand holding, see Holding hands.
L phenotype of hand clasping
(Bill Clinton)

Hand clasping or hand folding is the superposition of each finger of one hand over the corresponding finger of the opposite hand. It is commonly used to express authority above or respect for others. It is also common to clasp the hands during prayer.

Phenotypical definition[edit]

When clasping the hands, a person tends to interlace the fingers in one of two ways. People who hold the fingers of the right hand above the left fingers are classified as phenotype R (right), while those who hold the fingers of the left hand above those of the right are phenotype L (left).

Although some people do not prefer one type of hand clasping, most do. Once adopted, hand clasping tends to be consistent throughout life. When an individual attempts to clasp the hands in the opposite configuration from the usual one, that person may feel a sense that something is out of the ordinary.

Lai and Walsh (1965) suspect that genetic factors are important in determining these characteristics. They looked at a sample of 18 families.[1]

Based on the comparison of a series of monozygotic and dizygotic twins, Freire-Maia (1961) concluded that the preference in the type of hand clasping was affected by certain genetic factors, and (perhaps) to a significant extent.[2]

Falk and Ayala (1971) found a significant correlation between parent-offspring and for this feature suggested model polygenic inheritance.[3]

Martin (1975) presented the results of studies of twins and found that genetic factors are still determining the phenotypic expression of this trait.[4]

Reiss (1999) found that 55% of the population belongs to the phenotype L, and 44% have a "right type" clasping; the remaining 1% did not care.[5][6]

In support of the hypothesis about the significant influence of genetic factors on the phenotypic expression of the extreme dimorphism clearly demarcated by the data on a very wide range of variation in the frequency of phenotypes tested parts of the world's population.[clarification needed]

R phenotype distribution[edit]

Population N R (%) References
Belgium 644 48.1 Leguebe (1967)[7]
Bosnia and Herzegovina 10,073 55.1 Hadžiselimović et al. (1979)[8]
Bulgaria ? 70.1 Boev, Todorov (1970)[9]
Greece ? 81.2 Pelecanos (1969)[10]
Poland 771 48.0 Wolanski et al. (1973)[11]
Scotland 598 60.0 Lutz (1908)[12]
Serbia: Užice 2,217 54.0 Hadžiselimović et al.(1979)[13]
Serbia: Voivodina 2,686 51.9 Gavrilović, Božić (1972)[14]
Spain 486 52.1 Pons (1961)[15]
Sweden 981 52.1 Beckman, Elston (1962)[16]

Psychological understanding[edit]

Hand wringing[edit]

See also: Psychomotor agitation

Hand wringing is a gesture characterized by repeatedly rubbing or twisting one's hands together, often as a sign of distress or nervousness, while folding or clasping. Hand wringing has been studied in psychology to understand its underlying motivations and implications for mental well-being, of which include nonverbal communication and self-soothing behavior. It is often attributed to physical, cognitive, and mental conditions.

The act of hand wringing, along other motor actions, has been observed common in people with Rett syndrome, a genetic brain disorder, for decades.[17][18][19] In a study investigating stereotypical hand movements in individuals with the syndrome, hand wringing was identified as one of the most prevalent stereotypies, observed in approximately 60% of subjects.[20] It found that hand wringing tended to be more prevalent in women aged 19 years or older. Additionally, associations were noted between specific mutations and hand-wringing behavior, with certain mutations being more commonly associated with this stereotypical movement. However, there were no clear relationships between hand-wringing and the severity of mutations.

Hand wringing is also common in people with autism[21][22] and obsessive-compulsive disorder.[23][24]

Some studies suggest that when attempting to mitigate certain behaviors through interventions like response blocking, unintended consequences may arise.[25] For instance, in the treatment of stereotypic behavior such as head and tooth tapping, blocking these behaviors may inadvertently lead to an increase in other stereotypic responses, such as hand wringing. This collateral effect, observed in individuals diagnosed with autism, indicates that the reduction in the targeted behavior may result in the emergence or exacerbation of alternative behaviors.

In religion[edit]

Hand clasping holds significance in several religious and spiritual practices around the world, often symbolizing different aspects of faith. While not explicitly addressed in religious texts or practices, individuals may engage in the behavior during moments of spiritual reflection such as prayer or meditation.

Christianity[edit]

Main article: Christian prayer

In Christianity, hand clasping can be seen during prayer or as a gesture of fellowship and unity among believers. It often symbolizes solidarity in faith and mutual support within the community. In some Christian ceremonies, such as weddings or baptisms, hand clasping may signify the joining of two individuals or families in a sacred bond.

Buddhism[edit]

Main article: Mudra

Buddhism employs hand gestures, or mudras, as part of spiritual practice. Some of which include clasped hands, such as ushas mudra, symbolizing reverence, gratitude, and mindfulness. Hand clasping may also be used in meditation as a means of focusing on one's intention and connecting with inner peace.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Lai, LY; Walsh, RJ (1965). "The patterns of hand clasping in different ethnic groups". Hum Biol. 37 (3): 312–9. PMID 5836191.
  2. ^ Freire-Maia A. (1961): Twin data on hand clasping: a reanalysis. Acta Genet. Statist. Med. 10: 207-211.
  3. ^ Falk, C. T.; Ayala, F. J. (1971). "Genetic aspects of arm folding and hand clasping". Jpn. J. Hum. Genet. 15 (4): 241–247. PMID 5105531.
  4. ^ Martin, N. G (1975). "No evidence for a genetic basis of tongue rolling or hand clasping". J. Hered. 66 (3): 179–180. doi:10.1093/oxfordjournals.jhered.a108608. PMID 1236879.
  5. ^ Pons, J (1961). "Hand clasping". Annals of Human Genetics. 25: 141–144. doi:10.1111/j.1469-1809.1961.tb01511.x. PMID 14487797. S2CID 26161505.
  6. ^ Reiss, M (1999). "The genetics of hand-clasping-a review and a familial study". Ann. Hum. Biol. 26 (1): 39–48. doi:10.1080/030144699282967. PMID 9974082.
  7. ^ Leguebe 1967 hand clasping: étude anthropologique et génétique. Bull. Soc. Roy. Antrop. Préhist., 78: 81-107.
  8. ^ Hadžiselimović, R.; Berberović, Lj.; Sofradžija, A. (1979). "Distribucija fenotipova načina sklapanja šaka i prekrštanja ruku u stanovništvu Bosne i Hercegovine". God. Biol. Inst. Univ. U Sarajevu. 32: 101–116.
  9. ^ Boev, Todorov, 1970, in: Gavrilović Ž., Božić V. (1972): Proučavanje načina sklapanja šaka i pekrštanja ruku kod stanovništva u Vojvodini. Genetika, 4 (1): 59-61.
  10. ^ Pelecanos 1969, in: Pyżuk M. (1976): Hand clasping, and arm- and leg-folding in Polish rural population. Acta F. R. N. Univ Come., Anthropologia, 23: 219-223.
  11. ^ Wolanski et al 1973, in: Pyżuk M. (1976): Hand clasping, and arm- and leg-folding in Polish rural population. Acta F. R. N. Univ Come., Anthropologia, 23: 219-223.
  12. ^ Lutz, F. E. (1908). "The inheritance of the manner of clasping the hands". Am. Nat. 42 (495): 195–196. doi:10.1086/278920. S2CID 85288416.
  13. ^ Hadžiselimović R., Berberović Lj., Sofradžija A. (1979): Distribucija fenotipova načina sklapanja šaka i prekrštanja ruku u stanovništvu Bosne i Hercegovine. God.Biol. inst. Univ. u Sarajevu, 32: 101-116.
  14. ^ Gavrilović, Ž.; Božić, V. (1972). "Proučavanje načina sklapanja šaka i pekrštanja ruku kod stanovništva u Vojvodini". Genetika. 4 (1): 59–61.
  15. ^ Pons, J (1961). "Hand clasping (Spanish data)". Ann. Hum. Genet. 25 (2): 141–144. doi:10.1111/j.1469-1809.1961.tb01511.x. PMID 14487797. S2CID 26161505.
  16. ^ Beckman, L. Elston R. (1962). "Data on bilateral variations in man: handedness, hand clasping and arm folding in Swedes". Hum. Biol. 34: 99–103. PMID 13866425.
  17. ^ Philippart, Michel (1990). "The Rett syndrome in males". Brain and Development. 12 (1): 33–36. doi:10.1016/s0387-7604(12)80172-0. ISSN 0387-7604. PMID 2344022.
  18. ^ Brunetti, Sara; Lumsden, Daniel E. (2020-07-27). "Rett Syndrome as a movement and motor disorder – A narrative review". European Journal of Paediatric Neurology. 28: 29–37. doi:10.1016/j.ejpn.2020.06.020. ISSN 1090-3798. PMID 32807681.
  19. ^ Stallworth, Jennifer L.; Dy, Marisela E.; Buchanan, Caroline B.; Chen, Chin-Fu; Scott, Alexandra E.; Glaze, Daniel G.; Lane, Jane B.; Lieberman, David N.; Oberman, Lindsay M.; Skinner, Steven A.; Tierney, Aubin E.; Cutter, Gary R.; Percy, Alan K.; Neul, Jeffrey L.; Kaufmann, Walter E. (2019-05-28). "Hand stereotypies: Lessons from the Rett Syndrome Natural History Study". Neurology. 92 (22): e2594–e2603. doi:10.1212/WNL.0000000000007560. ISSN 0028-3878. PMC 6556084. PMID 31053667.
  20. ^ Carter, Philippa; Downs, Jenny; Bebbington, Ami; Williams, Simon; Jacoby, Peter; Kaufmann, Walter E.; Leonard, Helen (2010-02-15). "Stereotypical hand movements in 144 subjects with Rett syndrome from the population-based Australian database". Movement Disorders. 25 (3): 282–288. doi:10.1002/mds.22851. ISSN 0885-3185. PMID 19908321.
  21. ^ Johnson, Chris Plauché (2004), "Early Clinical Characteristics of Children with Autism", Autistic Spectrum Disorders in Children, CRC Press, pp. 86–121, doi:10.1201/9780203026229-11, ISBN 978-0-429-22863-6, retrieved 2024-03-23
  22. ^ Fernández-Alvarez, Emilio; Arzimanoglou, Alexis; Tolosa, Eduardo (2005). Paediatric Movement Disorders: Progress in Understanding. John Libbey Eurotext. ISBN 978-2-7420-0542-0.
  23. ^ Kurlan, Roger M.; Kurlan, Roger; Greene, Paul E.; Biglan, Kevin M. (2015). Hyperkinetic Movement Disorders. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-992564-3.
  24. ^ Hornsveld, Ruud H.J.; Kraaimaat, Floor W.K.; Van Dam-Baggen, Rien M.J. (1979). "Anxiety/discomfort and handwashing in obsessive-compulsive and psychiatric control patients". Behaviour Research and Therapy. 17 (3): 223–228. doi:10.1016/0005-7967(79)90037-8. ISSN 0005-7967. PMID 526239.
  25. ^ Lerman, Dorothea C.; Kelley, Michael E.; Vorndran, Christina M.; Camp, Carole M. Van (2003-02-27). "Collateral Effects of Response Blocking During the Treatment of Stereotypic Behavior". Journal of Applied Behavior Analysis. 36 (1): 119–123. doi:10.1901/jaba.2003.36-119. ISSN 0021-8855. PMC 1284425. PMID 12723875.

External links[edit]

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