Touch

Conceptualization and Measurement

As an aspect of communication, touch has meaning, and various characteristics of the “touch episode” and its participants may alter its meaning and effects. For example, when one person touches another, both experience the physical contact. However, the perceived mutuality of the contact can vary along a continuum from unidirectional (e.g., a hand massage) to completely reciprocated (e.g., a warm handshake). Unidirectional touch may or may not be expected or welcomed, depending in particular on the preexisting relationship between the giver and the receiver of the touch. Another critical factor is which parts of the body are involved in the touch—different areas of the body are considered more or less appropriate for touching by others (e.g., shoulders vs. thighs), depending on the relationship between those involved as well as their sociocultural background. Mechanical aspects of the touch itself (e.g., light stroking versus deep pressure) are likely important because individual differences in tactile sensitivity may lead to differing preferences for the quality of touch. The meaning and effects of touch may vary depending on its frequency of occurrence. For example, someone in a romantic relationship with a high level of physical affection between partners may benefit differently from a massage than would someone who has few avenues for positive physical contact. Last, but certainly not least, attitudes and beliefs about the appropriateness and desirability of touch in various contexts may influence how touch is perceived. For example, an affectionate pat from a spouse might be welcomed within one's home, but not during a meeting at work. Although all these characteristics are important to fully understand the meaning and effects of touch, little research has been carried out in some of these areas.

Attitudes and beliefs about touch are most often measured using multi-item self-report scales, whereas touch behavior has been assessed with both retrospective self-report and observation. However, several aspects of touch complicate its measurement. For example, because much interpersonal touch occurs in private, naturalistic observation of some of the domains of touch (e.g., intimate partner touch) is difficult. Sociocultural mores concerning touch limit the ability of researchers to manipulate it in the laboratory, both because of ethical concerns and because its meaning depends on the context. Diary studies, in which participants record information about their environments, behaviors, feelings, or thoughts one or more times per day, are a relatively recent addition to touch research and enable more ecologically valid assessment of the concurrent relations between touch and other behaviors or mental states. Another exciting trend in touch research involves measuring the physiological effects of interpersonal touch (e.g., its ability to reduce cardiovascular stress responses) and its potential health benefits, using both correlational and experimental designs.

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