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Touch can comfort and heal, but also harm − a psychologist explains why gestures don’t always land as intended

  • Written by Brian N. Chin, Assistant Professor of Psychology, Trinity College
Touch can comfort and heal, but also harm − a psychologist explains why gestures don’t always land as intendedTouch is not always received the way it's intended.Olga Pankova/Moment via Getty Images

A hug from a friend. A squeeze of the hand. A steady arm around your shoulders. Many of us are taught to think of touch as comforting – an instinctive way to offer or receive comfort and express a sense of connection.

But comfort is not always the outcome.

Fo...

Read more: Touch can comfort and heal, but also harm − a psychologist explains why gestures don’t always land...

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