#095: Can't TouchThis! The Power of Nonverbal Touch

Asking For A Friend with TalkDoc

Have you ever pondered the complexities of your own reactions to being touched? Join us as we dive into the nuanced dynamics of touch, where it can be both a positive connection and, in certain contexts, a source of discomfort.

In this episode, we begin our exploration of nonverbal communication by drawing on Judee Burgoon's renowned Expectancy Violation Theory. We dissect the intricate tapestry of our responses to touch from others. Burgoon provides a valuable framework that helps us navigate through instances where touch exceeds our expectations, both positively and negatively.

Tune in to hear engaging discussions fueled by both research findings and personal experiences. Beyond adult interactions, we explore the profound significance of human touch in the early stages of life, acknowledging its indispensable role as a soothing and regulating force for infants and children.

Join us as we unravel the layers of touch, an essential component of the human experience that not only connects us on a profound level but also serves as a powerful tool for maintaining our connections with others. Your understanding of communication and relationships is about to reach a whole new depth.

Music by epidemic sound.

SHOW NOTES:

Experts : Judee Burgoon, Mehrabian, Touch Research Institute, L. Guerrero, Scientific American

Resources :

Judee Burgoon’s Expectancy Violation Theory

https://www.communicationtheory.org/expectancy-violation-theory/

Judee Burgoon Explains Expectancy Violation Theory

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-kmnZIxiYHk

Touching Map from University of Oxford

https://www.ox.ac.uk/news/2015-10-27-maps-show-where-touching-allowed-0

Infant Touch Article

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/infant-touch/

Power of Touch by Chillot- Psychology Today

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/articles/the-power-of-touch