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What is the term for touching another individual to remove dirt, insects, and debris, often used as a way for individuals to bond?

User Aliah
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Final answer:

Grooming is the term for touching another individual to clean and bond, common among primates and an aspect of human hygiene practices like degerming.

Step-by-step explanation:

The term for touching another individual to remove dirt, insects, and debris, which is also a way for individuals to bond, is called grooming. This behavior is especially common amongst primates, serving not just a hygienic function but also as a form of communication and social interaction. For example, in chimpanzee groups, grooming is a part of their culture and helps to reinforce social structures and teach behaviors, such as termite-fishing. Additionally, human hygiene practices like handwashing or using an alcohol swab at an injection site are examples of degerming, which is the process of removing most microbes from the skin's surface to prevent disease.

User Colas Nahaboo
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