Getting in Touch – Social status predicts physical interaction in classrooms

Abstract

Social interactions and hierarchical structures in classrooms are studied in a number of scientific disciplines, yet the complexity of such systems makes them hard to investigate. In the present study we explore the relationship between social status and bodily interaction, since non-verbal communication and touch play a role in most social systems, yet are poorly understood in school settings.We developed a novel approach to assess social status in grammar school students by way of measuring the presence in others' minds: Classmates assessed their peers in intellectual, social and physical domains. Additionally, we measured the amount and nature of physical interactions among classmates during breaks in the classroom. These interactions were tracked with the help of older, trained and regularly supervised students from the same school. This peer-to-peer method generated large amounts of data over a period of two months, during which 168 students were observed repeatedly.Results show that touching behavior is modulated by social status and sex: The amount of physical interaction with classmates increases significantly with social status. Same sex touching of intimate zones such as breasts, lap and buttocks occur more frequently among individuals of similar status as compared to touching the intimate zones of the opposite sex. The latter involves extremely high and low ranked individuals more often than same-sex interactions.This study helps to understand formative interactions within classrooms and gives rise to new questions on the establishment and maintenance of hierarchies in peer groups.

Predicting fear and perceived health during the COVID-19 pandemic using machine learning: A cross-national longitudinal study.

“…For people living alone this isolation may be particularly painful, as curfews limit the possibilities of social interaction. Social contact can be ensured over social media, but the deprivation of physical contact has negative social and health implications, since touch plays an important role in maintaining and stabilizing social relations, communicating, comforting, and has various health benefits including effects on anxiety that would be valuable in the face of a stressful crisis (Ditzen et al, 2007;Eder & Oberzaucher, 2019;Field, 2010;Holt-Lunstad, Birmingham, & Light, 2008). It has been suggested that the benefits of physical interaction are particularly valuable for people high in attachment anxiety (Carmichael, Goldberg, & Coyle, 2020).…”

Welcome Ethologists to the southern end of the world

“…And finally, an account of touching behavior in Eder & Oberzaucher´s (2019) work, presents an interesting and innovative approach to analyze the effect of status in interactions in 10-13 years old students. Results show that touching of intimate zones frequently involves individuals with extremely high or low status, particularly boys in mixed-sex dyads.…”