TOUCH, STATUS, AND GENDER AT PROFESSIONAL MEETINGS

Observers unobtrusively recorded instances of interpersonal touch at t hree large academic meetings (two of psychologists, one of philosopher s). The names and affiliations of the individuals involved in these to uches were later referred to published sources in order to develop cod es reflecting the relative personal and institutional statuses of thes e individuals. There was mixed but on balance no overall evidence that higher-status individuals touched lower-status individuals more than vice versa. However, higher- and lower-status individuals initiated di fferent kinds of touch. Higher-status individuals initiated touch that was judged more often to be affectionate and that was more often dire cted to the arm or shoulder, whereas lower-status individuals initiale d more formal touches and hand-shakes. Gender asymmetry in touch was v ery weak overall, but favored male-to-female over female-to-male touch when the two individuals had equal professional status.