Meaning makes touch affective

The pleasantness of gentle stroking (CT-targeted touch) varies highly between individuals and studies, indicating that relevant factors may not be accounted for. We propose the affective value a touch event is determined by how well its perceived purpose matches goals receiver. or meaning in turn informed sensory characteristics together with setting, person factors, touchee’s expectations. Affective often sign affection, intended to soothe show support. In typical lab study however, toucher stranger research. laboratory nevertheless compatible goal participants, namely contribute To fully understand perception emerges, more studies should directly manipulate participants’ beliefs about touch.