Dennis,+Deanna


 * Formal Report:**
 * Presentation:**




 * Deanna Olson Data:**
 * Dennis Han Data:**



**Hypothesis**

Our main hypothesis is that the frequency of physical gestures of friendship among students in both school will be similar; however, the types of the gestures will be different.

**Objective**

Our objective is to find out whether culture affects the frequency and types of physical gestures among high school students in two different cultures. We hope to make any possible connections to other aspects of culture.

**Method **

We will primarily use observation to gather data. The setting of this experiment will be in the cafeterias of the two schools. Since we can’t be observing the area at once, we will observe over 10 minute intervals in different spots and average the number of physical gestures of friendship made during lunchtime. We will also record the approximate number of people we are observing. While observing, we will make a note of both types and frequency of physical contacts. We will record for 6-8 10 minute session and then compile the data and look for the pattern.

**Potential Errors**

One potential error might stem from the method of observation. Since it is done by one person, there will be a lot of gestures and contacts done uncounted. So our data, even if we look at three different days in three different locations, will not perfectly represent our sample population. Also, the fact that we are only looking at contacts made in the cafeterias might also change the results. For instance, the students might have greeted –hugged, shaken hands– already before lunch time, and their interactions might be different.


 * Scholarly Literature Review**

Dennis Han:


 * 1. Cultural Differences in Physical Contact Between Hispanic and Anglo Mother – Infant Dyads Living in the United States **
 * By: Alan Fogel, Daniel S. Messinger, Christopher A. Frazier **
 * Published: 1996 **

http://www.psy.miami.edu/faculty/dmessinger/c_c/rsrcs/rdgs/emot/CulturalDifferences_EDP.1996.pdf

The research involved 52 dyads of 9 months old infants and mothers. The researchers videotaped each dyad, and made the mothers take a questionnaire regarding their physical interactions with their children, and their affection for the children. The results showed that both Anglo and Hispanic mothers had affectionate physical contact with their babies every day. However, it was displayed from the results that Hispanic mothers tended to touch their children relatively longer. The overall amount and types of affection weren't different in the two cultures; however, the duration each time varied. Hispanic mothers tended to hold their children closer and more often than the Anglo mothers, and didn't hesitate to express their affection: "The Hispanic mothers were more likely to lie down on the floor, hold their infants on their stomachs or chests, kiss, hug and rock them." In conclusion, the study shows that the amount and of types of physical touch did not vary noticeable, but only the duration and intensity varied. For the Korea-USA 2012 Sociology Collaboration Project, we can see if this trend is also visible in high school students in two fundamentally different cultures: Korea and USA.


 * 2. Nonverbal Communication Project: The Handshake**

http://soc302.tripod.com/soc_302rocks/id8.html

According to the article, handshakes appeared out of necessity and leisure: it is both what we need to do to get to know the other person better, and something that we unconsciously enjoy a lot. The article proposes that a practical and most probably origin of handshakes is from the medieval age, when kings and knights extended their hands and grabbed each others hands to prove that they didn't have any weapon to harm one another (this was also visible in Greek culture). It is thought that handshakes developed from this behavior to mean hospitality, warmth, and friendliness. Handshakes, according to the article, give us the feeling of equality and trust. Thus people shake hands in political and business settings.


 * 3. For Teenagers, Hello Means 'How About a Hug?'**

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/28/style/28hugs.html?pagewanted=all

In a high school in New Jersey, hugging is very prevalent and very openly accepted. Many different types of hugs evolved, such as friendly hug, awkward friendly hug (bear claw), and so forth. This rapidly-spreading ritual alarmed some school administrations and parents. Another side-effect of this trend is that the behavior of hugging so much with everyone causes peer-pressure. One of the students in the article said that when someone refuses to hug as much as others do, he or she is seen as being peculiar or weird. This suggests that physical contact– hugs, high fives, handshakes– are influenced much by social trends and expectations.

Deanna Olson:

Krout, Maurice H. “Understanding Human Gestures.” //The Scientific Monthly// 49.2 (1939): 167-172. //JSTOR//. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. .
 * 1. Understanding Human Gestures**

Maurice H. Krout in her article “Understanding Human Gestures” tells us that the origin of gestures is unknown, and they allow those of different culture to communicate effectively. Many common gestures today are a result of simplified actions (Krout). Clenching a fist for example would be a simplified version of hitting something. Krout also shows us that children learn to gesture through their exposure to peers. Small gestures are said to give temporary relief from tension and conflict in s situation. High-fives and hugs therefore may be to let others know you are on their side. One difficulty in looking at gestures is the individual differences found in each person when gesturing (Krout). This should be taken into consideration when doing our case study. Each person may high-five or hug in their own manner.

Carey, Benedict. “Evidence the Little Touches do Mean so Much.” //The New York Times//. N.p., 23 Feb. 2010. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. .
 * 2. Evidence that Little Touches do Mean so Much**

In the article “Evidence that Little Touches Do Mean so Much”, Benedict Carey states that even brief contact can convey an array of emotions, sometimes even more effectively than words. It was discovered, in a study by Matthew Hertenstein a DePauw University psychologist, that six different emotions could be communicated purely through tough to a blindfolded individual. Another study suggested that brief contact increases the performance of the individual. (Carey) This could be explained by a reduction in stress cause by the feeling of support from others. This is important in our own research because it gives reason for the average high school student to participate in brief physical contact such as high-fives or hugs. The student feels better knowing that someone “has their back” so to speak. Students are also communicating with others as they give someone a high-five or a hug.

Ballard, Chris. “The Metaphysical Significance, Staggering Ubiquity and Sheer Joy of High Fives.” //Sports Illustrated//: 36-41. //JSTOR//. Web. 27 Feb. 2012.
 * 3. The Metaphysical Significance, Staggering Ubiquity and Sheer Joy of High Fives**

In Chris Ballard’s article “The Metaphysical Significance, Staggering Ubiquity and Sheer Joy of High Fives”, he gives various examples of high-fiving in sports. Ballard gives the inside on a study going to be released this year that show that there is a direct correlation with a team’s willingness to touch (high-five, fistbump) and their ability to succeed at their sport. Confidence can be given to players by support from their peers through something as simple as a high five. There have been cases where lack of returning a high-five shows disappoint in someone after a mistake. This contributes to our study because it shows that actions pertaining to a high-five can have various meanings, and further supports the fact that high-fives promote confidence.

Hertenstein, Matt. “Study: Humans Can ‘Talk’ Through Touch.” Interview by Michelle Trudeau. //NPR//. PBS, 18 Oct. 2006. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. .
 * 4. Interview with Matthew Hertenstein **

Matthew Hertenstein, in an interview with Michelle Trudeau, describes how touch is the first sense that is developed and therefore one of the key ways we interact. However, until Hertenstein’s studies very little research had been done about touch as a tool of communication. In his studies certain motions were generally associated with each emotion, and the emotions that were most accurately communicated were emotions that were not self- focused such as anger or love. This interview gives further details into related studies and how they were conducted. Looking at touch it is show that some type of emotional stimuli is occurring for the communication to take place.

“School Penalizes Students for Hugs, High-Fives.” //MSNBC//. N.p., 18 June 2007. Web. 27 Feb. 2012. .
 * 5. School Penalizes Students for Hugs, High-fives**

There are many ethical issues concerning contact in a school setting. In the article “School Penalizes Student for hugs, high-five” on MSNBC, they report that schools are resorting to no contact allowed rules. These rules take it to the extreme by not allowing high-five or simple handshakes between friends. The school administration justify these strict rules by stating that they want all their students to feel comfortable in the building, and that they have had problems in the past where students would feel awkward when given a hug or high-five from almost strangers. This is important to keep in mind in our study because our subjects must not be put into uncomfortable situations. As far as physical contact goes there needs to be a clear line on what is deemed ok and safe.