Touch in Cross-Sex Relationships between Superiors and Subordinates: Perceptions of Expectedness, Inappropriateness, and Sexual Harassment

• In Event: Touch and Distancing in Professional and Applied Contexts

Abstract

Using expectancy violations theory as a framework, this study focuses on how people perceive touch between interactants posing as superiors and subordinates. Findings showed that interactions containing more intimate forms of touch (e.g., face touch, arm around the waist) were rated as more unexpected, inappropriate, and harassing than less intimate forms of touch (e.g., handshake). Contrary to predictions, there were no differences in perceptions of unexpectedness, inappropriateness, or harassment on the basis of whether the superior or the subordinate initiated touch. However, people judged men and women differently depending on the type of touch they displayed. For example, women who engaged in a shoulder push were perceived as higher in unexpectedness, but lower in harassment and inappropriateness than men who engaged in the same type of touch. Men who used face touch were rated as more unexpected, inappropriate, and harassing than women who used face touch.

Authors

• Laura Guerrero, Arizona State University

• Adam Smith, Arizona State University