Touch and Communication

Chapter 9

Haptics
The study of the type, amount, uses of,
and results of tactile behavior.

Touch
Touch is the most effective means to
communicate feelings and emotions
The withholding of touch may
communicate a variety of negative feelings
Babies need touch to thrive

Touch in Animals
Gentling stroking and touching of
newborn animals
Licking to clean the offspring. Also plays
in important role in stimulating the
physiological functions of newborn
animals and therefore contributes to their
survival

Touch in Humans
Tactile communication in the early stages
of life may establish the foundation of all
other forms of communication that
humans later develop
Maramus
As one grows older, the frequency of
touch decreases

Licensed Touchers

Doctors
Dentists
Manicurist/Pedicurists
Masseuses
Hair Dressers/Barbers
Then, what about pets?

Categories of Touch
Professional-Functional Touch touch is
on an impersonal level. Business-like
touch used to accomplish or perform
some task or service
Social-Polite Touch serves to
communicate a limited form of
interpersonal involvement. We touch
another person as more than a mere
object

Categories of Touch
Friendship-Warmth Touch lets another person
know we care for, value, and have an interest in
her or him. Probably the most difficult to
interpret, both for the receiver of the touch and
the outsider
Love-Intimacy Touch may include caressing
the cheek, holding another person around the
waist, hugging, embracing, kissing, and many
other gestures that signal a particularly close
and involved association between individuals

Categories of Touch
Sexual-Arousal Touch often equated
with intimate touch. Is the most intense
form of touch. It also may be the most
communicative.

Touch Norms and Communication

What is normal touch?
Normal touch is highly individualized
Touch norms depend on the type of
situation in which interpersonal
interactions take place
Cultural Differences
Gender Differences
Women are more touch oriented than men

 Touch and Emotion

Touch and Status
Touch and Self-intimacy

Effects of Touch Deprivation

Lack of touch can negatively affect the
ability to develop normal speech, reading
skills, and symbol recognition
Skin Hunger a strongly felt need for
touch. It results from insufficient body
contact for psychological and possibly
physical well-being