Touch Growing up we was always told that actions speak louder than words. Many of us thought this was just another common saying. Although this was not the case, touch is a type of nonverbal communication that speaks volume. Touch makes up 55% of nonverbal communication along with other types of bodily gestures. Although I believe touch is the important one to really analyze. This paper will cover why touch is important, touch deprivation, and touch avoidance. Nowadays people would not think that touch is an important piece in their life. Although there are many types of touch that can stimulate an emotional reaction in the receiver. The word that describes this would be the term Haptics. Haptics is essential to a person’s healthy development in several ways. Touch can increase a child’s mental functioning along with their physical health (Bobby, C.S.). Touch can also be used as a healing tool. It can be used to boost the immune function of diseases. For example, in the Bible there were several instances where Jesus healed people by the power of touch (Bobby, C.S.). Touch
So what happens when we experience touch deprivation. Unlike the study of how touch in nonverbal communication is important, touch deprivation is understudied. Yet it is a very important piece of nonverbal communication. So what is touch deprivation and why is it important? Touch deprivation is the lack of haptic communication or lack of touch (Narissra M.P.). First not everyone in the world receives the right amount of touch one person would need, or desires. In Romanian orphanages tremendous cases of touch deprivation have been cited. Children in that orphanage have only attained half their height, and had delays in cognitive development. If these kids were to receive appropriate touch it would help with sleep, reduce temper, and help with their academic