Introduction
Haptics is a form of non-verbal communication which involves the sense of touch. It is useful in interpersonal relationships and communication. Haptic communication capitalizes on human sense of touch to pass messages and feelings without speaking. If the form of communication is applied well, it is highly effective in a wide range of situations.
Key Facts about Haptic Communication
Secondly, haptic communication is a powerful tool in expressing love and affection. This is especially useful during courting where touching contributes to development of affectionate feelings between partners. Similarly, haptic communication such as hugging, holding hands and kissing can be powerful in sexual arousal between partners (5-14). Using haptic communication to express love and friendship applies not only among humankind, but also among other types of animals (5-7).
Thirdly, haptic communication enables human beings and other animals to interact with and understand their environment. James and Gail (317-319) note that “as human beings, we can interact with our environment through the sense of touch”. Therefore, haptic communication enhances learning by enhancing a student’s understanding of objects and events. This is explained by the efficacy of ‘hands-on’ mode of teaching (317).
Conclusion
Haptic communication is a powerful non-verbal technique which is applied in most daily interpersonal relationships. It takes an array of forms and, besides its effectiveness in expressing love and friendship, it has been applied in education to enhance learners’ understanding of objects and events. All in all, haptic communication capitalizes on the human sense of touch to powerfully communicate messages without saying a word.
Works Cited
Hartenstein, M. J., Verkamp, J., Kerestes, A., and Holmes, R. “The Communicative Functions of
Touch in Humans, Non-human Primates and Rats: A Review and Synthesis of the Empirical Research”. Genetic, Social, and General Psychology Monographs 132 (2006): 5-94. Web.
James, Minogue and Gail, Jones, M. “Haptics in Education: Exploring an Untapped Sensory
Modality”. Review of Educational Research 76.3 (2007): 317-348. Web.
