Examining Gender Differences in Social Touching Behavior

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The aim of this investigation is to assemble a naturalistic observational study to evaluate touching behaviour of male and female pair interactions in social settings and compare finding with other theories and hypothesis, either the theory presented by Henley that there is a gender main effect for the initiation of touch over both male and female recipients can be conformed, and thus concludes that the alternate hypothesis can be accepted in favour of the null hypothesis. One of the observational studies addressing questions of intentional touches with the hand where adolescent males were seen to touch adolescent females significantly more than vice versa is Henley 's (1973). Further evaluation of findings will be evaluated using the nominal data method. The results will then be analysed, and concluded. Hypotheses H1 - There is a statistically significant difference in touching behaviour between male and female couples when observed in social situation. H0 - There is no statistically significant difference in touching behaviour between male and female couples when observed in social situation. The relationship is expected to be non-directional so a two-tailed hypothesis is used. Method Design: This study is going to investigate touching behaviour of male and female pair interactions in social settings This is a naturalistic observational study based within a public premises, with opportunity data sampling and independent measures, that will include anonymously observing pairs without their concern, within two hours time-frame between 20 of December 2014 and 2 of January 2015, using independent subjects design and data analysis using nominal data charts, considering non-offensive and non-aggressive any kind of touch of any par... ... middle of paper ... ...r observation of the behaviour in the familiar settings out of the tourist season and unknown visitors. The participants are chosen at opportunity sample of opposite sex pairs, ten females and ten males. With the use of a raw data chart, the observer will note the first touch instigated by either partner, this will be carefully noted onto the raw data chart, and then re-evaluated against the expected data with no control group involved. The use of nominal statistical analyses will then be performed, using the two tailed design. Selection bias removed by opportunity sampling as well as bias of researcher. No instruction or debriefing was giving as it was covert observation with no concern obtained. Results: Within this study, adult females were shown to initiate ‘touch’ on males within a public area. Table 2: A table to show percentage of touching initiated by gender.

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