Non-verbal Communication » Touch Communication

What you'll learn this session

Study time: 30 minutes

The definition and importance of touch communication
Different types of touch in non-verbal communication
Cultural variations in touch communication
The role of touch in human development
How touch affects psychological wellbeing
Research studies on touch communication

Introduction to Touch Communication

Touch is one of the most powerful forms of non-verbal communication. It's the first sense we develop as babies and remains crucial throughout our lives. Touch can convey emotions that words simply cannot express - from comfort and reassurance to anger and dominance.

Key Definitions:

Touch communication: The use of physical contact to convey messages, emotions and intentions without using words.
Haptics: The study of communicating through touch.
Tactile communication: Another term for communication through physical contact.

👋 Why Touch Matters

Touch is often called our "first language" because it's how we initially communicate as newborns. Research shows that touch can:

Reduce stress hormones
Build trust between people
Communicate emotions quickly
Strengthen social bonds
Influence how we perceive others

🤝 Touch Deprivation

Not receiving enough physical contact is called "touch deprivation" or "skin hunger." Studies show this can lead to:

Increased stress levels
Feelings of loneliness
Difficulty forming attachments
Sleep problems
Weakened immune system

Types of Touch Communication

Touch varies greatly in its meaning and appropriateness depending on the context, relationship and culture. Psychologists have identified several categories of touch:

🙏 Functional/Professional

Touch that serves a specific purpose in professional contexts:

Doctor examining a patient
Hairdresser styling hair
Teacher guiding a student's hand

🤗 Social/Polite

Touch used in everyday social interactions:

Handshakes
High fives
Pat on the back
Brief hug as greeting

💕 Intimate/Affectionate

Touch between people with close relationships:

Holding hands
Embracing
Kissing
Cuddling

Cultural Differences in Touch

How, when and whom we touch varies dramatically across cultures. Understanding these differences is crucial to avoid misunderstandings.

🌎 Contact Cultures

High-contact cultures (Mediterranean, Latin American, Middle Eastern) typically:

Stand closer together when talking
Touch more frequently during conversations
Use more expressive physical greetings
May kiss on cheeks as a standard greeting
Often have more physical contact between same-sex friends

🌍 Non-Contact Cultures

Low-contact cultures (Northern European, East Asian, North American) typically:

Maintain greater personal space
Limit touch to specific contexts
Prefer less physical greetings (bow, nod)
May feel uncomfortable with casual touching
Often have stricter rules about who can touch whom

Case Study Focus: The Handshake Experiment

Researchers at the University of Alabama conducted a study where participants were either given a handshake or not before a negotiation task. Those who received a handshake:

Reported more positive feelings about their counterpart
Were more likely to reach a fair agreement
Showed more open body language during the interaction

This demonstrates how even brief, formal touch can significantly impact social interactions and outcomes.

Touch in Human Development

Touch plays a crucial role in how we develop from infancy through to adulthood. Research has consistently shown its importance.

Harlow's Monkey Studies

In the 1950s, psychologist Harry Harlow conducted famous experiments with rhesus monkeys that demonstrated the importance of touch for development:

Baby monkeys were separated from their mothers and given two artificial "mothers"
One "mother" was made of wire but provided milk (nutrition)
The other was covered in soft cloth but provided no food
The baby monkeys overwhelmingly preferred the cloth mother, spending up to 18 hours a day clinging to it
When frightened, they would run to the cloth mother for comfort, not the wire one with food

This research showed that touch and comfort are as important as food for healthy development. Monkeys raised without physical contact developed serious social and emotional problems.

Case Study Focus: Romanian Orphanages

In the 1980s and 1990s, Romanian orphanages became infamous for their lack of physical care and touch. Children received minimal handling beyond basic feeding and cleaning. Studies of these children found:

Significant developmental delays
Difficulty forming attachments
Reduced brain development
Problems with emotional regulation

Children who were later adopted into families showed improvements, but many continued to struggle with the effects of early touch deprivation throughout their lives. This real-world example powerfully demonstrates what Harlow observed in his laboratory studies.

The Science of Touch

Modern neuroscience has revealed fascinating insights into how touch affects our brains and bodies:

🧠 The Brain and Touch

Touch activates several brain regions:

Somatosensory cortex: Processes physical sensations
Insula: Connects touch to emotions
Orbitofrontal cortex: Associates touch with reward

Different types of touch are processed differently. Gentle, affectionate touch activates special nerve fibres called C-tactile afferents that are linked to pleasure and wellbeing.

💊 Hormonal Responses

Touch triggers important chemical changes:

Oxytocin: The "bonding hormone" released during positive touch
Cortisol: Stress hormone that decreases with comforting touch
Endorphins: Natural pain relievers released during pleasant touch

These hormonal changes help explain why touch can reduce stress, increase trust and promote healing.

Touch in Therapeutic Settings

Psychology has increasingly recognised the importance of touch in therapy and wellbeing:

Therapeutic Applications

Touch is now used in various therapeutic approaches:

Massage therapy: Shown to reduce anxiety, depression and pain
Play therapy: Uses physical interaction to help children process emotions
Animal-assisted therapy: Petting animals triggers oxytocin release and reduces stress
Sensory integration therapy: Helps those with sensory processing disorders

However, therapists must navigate complex ethical boundaries around touch, especially in psychological therapy settings where touch is often limited or avoided entirely.

Research Highlight: The Power of 20 Seconds

A study by neuroscientist Dr. David J. Linden found that a 20-second hug releases enough oxytocin to trigger trust and connection between people. This research has been applied in various settings:

Some hospitals now encourage skin-to-skin contact between parents and newborns for at least 20 seconds
Certain therapy approaches recommend 20-second hugs for couples experiencing relationship difficulties
School programmes teaching appropriate touch often cite this research when explaining the importance of positive physical contact

This demonstrates how scientific understanding of touch can be applied to improve wellbeing in practical ways.

Ethical Considerations and Boundaries

While touch is powerful and important, it must always be used appropriately and ethically:

Consent: Touch should always be consensual and appropriate to the relationship and context
Power dynamics: Those in positions of authority must be especially careful about how they use touch
Individual differences: People vary greatly in their comfort with being touched
Cultural awareness: Understanding cultural norms around touch is essential to avoid misunderstandings
Neurodiversity: Some people, such as those with certain sensory processing issues or autism, may experience touch differently

Understanding these considerations helps us use touch communication effectively and respectfully in our daily interactions.

🧠 Test Your Knowledge!