in which distance in relationships is
maintained.
So beyond simply feeling good,
what is the value of human touch
from a psychological perspective?
A primary result is the release of
a substance called oxytocin, a
hormone involved in the reduction
of stress, developing intimacy, and
social bonding.
In a 2011 web article for cnn.
com, Norine Dworkin-McDaniel
reviews many of the benefits of
touch including the reduction of
cortisol levels, a hormone which
is increased in response to stress
and which suppresses the immune
system. Touch also releases
muscular tension, slows the heart
rate, and lowered blood pressure.
Ms. Dworkin-McDaniel goes on to
note that the release of oxytocin
increases the sense of security
and trust with others. Touch also
reduces the intensity of anxious
responses.
Matthew
Hertenstein,
a
psychologist
from
DePauw
University, demonstrated in 2009
that humans can decode emotions
through the sense of touch
alone. In his research, he found
that people could accurately
communicate the emotions of
anger, fear, disgust, love, gratitude,
sympathy, happiness, and sadness
“