Is this why people on social media are so angry? Human relationships have lost their “touch”

( Natural News ) In this technological age we live in, we have become too invested in social media that our physical interactions with other people have lessened. Even a slow, soft touch reduces the feeling of being socially excluded , according to a new study reported by the Science Daily. “As our social world is becoming increasingly visual and digital, it is easy to forget the power of touch in human relations,” said Mariana von Mohr, lead author of the study. The study from the University College London analyzed the relationship of touch and social isolation. It differentiated the effect of a slow, soft touch and a quick, neutral touch after a rejection. For the study, the researchers analyzed how 84 women felt after being rejected or socially excluded. The participants played a computerized ball-tossing game, wherein three players passed the ball to each other. They were led to think that they were playing with other people, but in reality the two other players were computer-simulated. The women took a break for 10 minutes from playing to answer questions about feelings threatened by social exclusion, such as the feelings of belonging, self-esteem, meaningful existence, and control. When the participants resumed to play, the other players suddenly stopped throwing balls at them after some time which made the women feel excluded. Then, the researchers blindfolded the women and touched their left forearms using a soft-bristled brushed at either a slow or fast speed. Later on, the participant were asked the same questions. Results showed that participants who received a slow touch had reduced feelings of negativity and social exclusion than those who were touched at a fast touch, regardless of their general mood remaining the same in both conditions. Yet, neither of the touches totally removed the negative effects […]

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