Body Maps of Touch and Social Relationships are Tightly Linked
The recent study conducted by Aalto University and the University of Oxford shows that the human body has a precisely defined touch maps that are tightly linked to social touch that is allowed in different kinds of human relationships.
The research is in PNAS. (full open access)
Research: "Topography of social touching depends on emotional bonds between humans" by Juulia T. Suvilehto, Enrico Glerean, Robin I. M. Dunbar, Riitta Hari, and Lauri Nummenmaa in PNAS doi:10.1073/pnas.1519231112
Image: Bodily maps of touch are closely linked to social relationships. The brighter the colour of the body area, the more likely the person concerned is allowed to touch it. Any touching of the ‘taboo zones’ marked with black colour and blue borders is entirely forbidden. Credit: The researchers/Aalto University.