Touch Affects Us- Especially Our Thinking!

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We know that touch is among our very first developed sensations. We learned a few years ago how critical touch is relationships (no, I am not just talking about sexual relations, but holding hands, caressing, and kisses). They are just as critical for parent-child relationships. We know this- implicitly. When someone is upset, we immediately know to hold the person, to calm them. One of our most popular expressions- keep in touch- says it all. Only recently has behavioral research begun to focus on touch, which is amazing to me. After all, touch is integral to our lives. We kiss- some on the mouth, others on the cheek- as greetings (or rub noses, if we are Eskimo). We shake hands to greet and meet. We know touch works; we just haven’t studied why. Enter Drs. Ackerman [no relation, I promise], Nocera, and Bargh, who published a paper, “Incidental Haptic Sensations Influences Social Judgments and Decisions” in Science. They found that touching changed how we think about things- without our conscious knowledge of its affects upon our thinking. Holding something heavy while interviewing job candidates elevated them in importance. Sitting on hard, uncomfortable chairs leads to rigidity in thought and negotiation. Rough (not smooth) objects rendered social interactions more uneasy. The authors also cautioned (actually they described the reasons why) against sitting in a car as you are negotiating to buy it. One feels more inclined to accept the salesman’s suggestions and be more agreeable in the deal. Studying the paper from a different angle, it is clear we need new criteria for setting brainstorming (think tank) sessions. When we are trying to develop new concepts or products, the participants must trust one another, feel open to make suggestions (no matter how crazy it may initially seem) and forgive one another for potentially stupid or inane suggestions. As facilitators, we have worked to attain and maintain the mental environment to ensure creative and positive results. However, this study indicates we need to be concerned about the physical environment as well. We need to have chairs with soft cushion and smooth surfaces; these comfortable surfaces afford the participants a friendly environment, one where everyone can be open-minded. Serving hot drinks (coffee, tea) is the better beverage choice, because people feel more affectionate and forgiving when cuddling the hot cup.

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2 thoughts on “Touch Affects Us- Especially Our Thinking!”

  1. Touch is such an important part of every culture, I was always intrigued by how cultures differ over their pattern of “touching” others and how that differs their judgement, personality or just about anything. Do we differ because we touch differently or is there some kind of underlying similar patterns to that. Like the Arabs, whenever they meet, they do the “bosa” – greeting each other by nose touching; my maternal relatives just don’t touch – no hugs even when we meet after a long time – made me always think – is that why they fought so much! But whatever that may be, I think you have “touched” upon a very “touching” phenomenon! Would be very interesting if we could pursue this further!

    Have a great day 🙂
    Hajra recently posted..Weird Weight Loss Techniques!

    1. I think your boyfriend may take umbrage, Hajra. Ok, seriously. This has been a vital issue of study for a long time. It is one of the reason why single people (typically older) may exhibit certain factors.
      It’s also why I learned that greeting folks (which, in my religious circles, is not always appreciated) involves providing a heart-felt hug!
      Thanks for your fantastic additions to my post, Hajra…
      Roy

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