The communicative functions of touch in humans, nonhuman primates, and rats: a review and synthesis of the empirical research.

Full Abstract

Although touch is one of the most neglected modalities of communication, several lines of research bear on the important communicative functions served by the modality. The authors highlighted the importance of touch by reviewing and synthesizing the literatures pertaining to the communicative functions served by touch among humans, nonhuman primates, and rats. In humans, the authors focused on the role that touch plays in emotional communication, attachment, bonding, compliance, power, intimacy, hedonics, and liking. In nonhuman primates, the authors examined the relations among touch and status, stress, reconciliation, sexual relations, and attachment. In rats, the authors focused on the role that touch plays in emotion, learning and memory, novelty seeking, stress, and attachment. The authors also highlighted the potential phylogenetic and ontogenetic continuities and discussed suggestions for future research.

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Author information

Author/s: Hertenstein, Matthew J (MJ); Verkamp, Julie M (JM); Kerestes, Alyssa M (AM); Holmes, Rachel M (RM);

Affiliation: Department of Psychology, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN 46135, USA. mhertenstein(-atsign-)depauw.edu

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: Comparative Study; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't; Review

Journal: Genetic, social, and general psychology monographs (Genet Soc Gen Psychol Monogr), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Feb; vol 132 (issue 1) : pp 5-94

Dates: Created 2007/03/09; Completed 2007/05/02;

PMID: 17345871, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 12/26/2008)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Infant
Male
Middle Aged
Nonverbal Communication
Object Attachment
Phylogeny
Primates - psychology
Rats - psychology
Species Specificity
Touch

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