The Many Aspects of Touch

Touch is apparent in many different areas of society. Touching is common in rituals in different cultures. The most common of these rituals is in greeting, and departure. Something as simple as a handshake can have a different meaning from one culture to another.

Another area where touch is apparent is when people show approval. This is done by patting someone on the back, or hugs. Another way people use touch is when they are attempting to dominant another. This is common between men. Again, something as simple as a handshake can indicate an attempt to demonstrate strength by causing pain, or dominance. This is indicated when someone grabs the other person's hand firmly, and shakes vigorously.

Another indication is when someone participates in what is known as a vice grip. This could be an indication of someone wanting to demonstrate strength by causing pain. It has been said that, if you do not let go within a certain amount of time when shaking hands, you are attempting to take control.

Touch can also indicate sympathy, and intimacy. This is indicated through brief touching of the back, arm, or shoulder. This type of touch also indicates friendship. Prolonged hugging is also an indication of sympathy, and friendship. The kind of touching indicating sympathy is sometimes dependent upon how close the participants are to one another. Prolonged hugging, or crying on someone's shoulder, is usually reserved for women with women, close friends, or partners.

A study by Gueguen and Fischer-Lokou (2003) indicated that a person was strongly influenced when there was touching during a conversation with another person. In addition, during this same study, it was shown that restaurant diners are more satisfied, and give larger tips, when they are touched by the wait staff. Also, if a man touched a woman on the arm, a woman was more willing to give him her phone number when he asked.

A different study (Schirmer, 2011) found that empathy is increased even when someone is touched by a machine. The bonding effect of touch has been shown to have many benefits. Among those benefits is a greater likelihood of honesty, romance, listening, empathy, and the willingness to help another person.

Last, in a study by Vaidis and Halimi-Falkowicz (2008), it was shown that the extent, repetition, and strength of a touch can have an "amplifying" effect on the other person's decision. This was shown when they asked people on the street to participate in a questionnaire. Those who were touched twice were shown to be more likely to agree to complete the questionnaire.