Madelyn Parr
Module 2: Final Paper
October 23, 2020
Touch
Introduction:
Touch is a very distinctive and strong concept; it is the ability to come in contact with
someone or something. “Touch was an effective buffer against jealous feelings” (Kim, Touch
reduces romantic jealousy in the anxiously attached) and gives the stability in many
relationships. Not many understand the value touch can have on any type of relationship. The
simplicity of hand to hand compared to the complexity of mouth to mouth is what can define a
relationship. There are many different factors that go into the base of touch that include intimacy,
facial expression, and space. Intimacy is the close familiarity or friendship between two
individuals. Intimacy is the “kind of sharing that comes from within and inspires thoughts of
closeness, warmth, and shared affection” (Saral, Salam Press Encyclopedia of Health). Facial
expression is the gesture performed withing the facial muscles. Space is an area or expense that
is free, available, and/or unoccupied. Every individual that comes in contact with another
individual causes some type of relationship to form. The relationship may turn out to be intimate
but it also could be just a friendship. After the initial touch is made, using the context clues, the
type of relationship can be figured out by also using intimacy, facial expression, and space.
Intimacy Relation to Touch
Intimacy has a great effect on touch based on where the person is touched, the length of
the touch, the type of touch, and the what the touch can lead to. The many different types of
touch can indicate the different types of intensity and power in the relationship. The types of
touches are inclusion touches, sexual touch, and affection touch. Each type of touch can have a
different effect on the intimacy of the relationship. An inclusion touch can convey or draw
attention the idea of being together. The sexual touch can express any type of physical attraction
or sexual commitment. An affection touch is the way to communication affection and positivity
towards one another. The long-lasting body contact, or touch, can affect the level of intimacy.
Intimacy can express different pieces of a relationship, pieces that are “love, caring, attraction,
and closeness, as well as hopes, joys, accomplishments, and pride” (Saral, Salam Press
