Abstract
The importance and complexity of tactile communication in a variety of interpersonal contexts is underscored in the nonverbal communication literature. However, whether touch produces positive or negative effects on interpersonal relationships may depend upon the coactants' levels of touch avoidance. The present experimental study examined the interactive effects of touch and touch avoidance on interpersonal attraction and perceived homophily. The results of a MANOVA and follow-up univariate tests demonstrated that interpersonal attraction and perceived homophily are dependent, in part, on the receiver's level of touch avoidance. Touch avoiders rated confederates who touched them lower in attraction and homophily than did touch approachers who were touched. A gender of confederate effect was also observed. These findings are consistent with the extant literature.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 84-90 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Communication Research Reports |
| Volume | 5 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 1 1988 |
| Externally published | Yes |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Communication
Cite this
The Interactive Effects of Touch and Touch Avoidance on Interpersonal Evaluations. / Sorensen, Gail; Beatty, Michael.
In: Communication Research Reports, Vol. 5, No. 1, 01.06.1988, p. 84-90.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - The Interactive Effects of Touch and Touch Avoidance on Interpersonal Evaluations
AU - Sorensen, Gail
AU - Beatty, Michael
PY - 1988/6/1
Y1 - 1988/6/1
N2 - The importance and complexity of tactile communication in a variety of interpersonal contexts is underscored in the nonverbal communication literature. However, whether touch produces positive or negative effects on interpersonal relationships may depend upon the coactants' levels of touch avoidance. The present experimental study examined the interactive effects of touch and touch avoidance on interpersonal attraction and perceived homophily. The results of a MANOVA and follow-up univariate tests demonstrated that interpersonal attraction and perceived homophily are dependent, in part, on the receiver's level of touch avoidance. Touch avoiders rated confederates who touched them lower in attraction and homophily than did touch approachers who were touched. A gender of confederate effect was also observed. These findings are consistent with the extant literature.
AB - The importance and complexity of tactile communication in a variety of interpersonal contexts is underscored in the nonverbal communication literature. However, whether touch produces positive or negative effects on interpersonal relationships may depend upon the coactants' levels of touch avoidance. The present experimental study examined the interactive effects of touch and touch avoidance on interpersonal attraction and perceived homophily. The results of a MANOVA and follow-up univariate tests demonstrated that interpersonal attraction and perceived homophily are dependent, in part, on the receiver's level of touch avoidance. Touch avoiders rated confederates who touched them lower in attraction and homophily than did touch approachers who were touched. A gender of confederate effect was also observed. These findings are consistent with the extant literature.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=0011532395&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0011532395&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/08824098809359805
DO - 10.1080/08824098809359805
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:0011532395
VL - 5
SP - 84
EP - 90
JO - Communication Research Reports
JF - Communication Research Reports
SN - 0882-4096
IS - 1
ER -