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An evaluation of touch on a large request: a field setting
Nicolas Guéguen1, Jacques Fischer-Lokou
1Laboratoire GRESICO, Université de Bretagne-Sud, IUT de Vannes-Département TC, France.
Psychological Reports
|March 20, 2002
Summary
A simple touch significantly increased compliance with a larger request. When asked to watch an excited dog, 55% of people agreed if touched, compared to only 35% without touch.
Area of Science:
- Social Psychology
- Nonverbal Communication
- Human Behavior
Background:
- Previous research on touch and compliance focused on minor requests.
- The impact of touch on agreement to larger, more demanding requests remained largely unexplored.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effect of a brief touch on compliance with a significant request.
- To determine if physical contact enhances willingness to assist others.
Main Methods:
- A field experiment involved confederates requesting passersby to mind an excited dog for 10 minutes.
- Participants were randomly assigned to either a touch or no-touch condition during the request.
- Compliance rates were compared between the two conditions.
Main Results:
- A touch during the request significantly increased compliance, with 55% of touched individuals agreeing.
- In the no-touch control group, only 35% of individuals complied with the request.
- The positive association between touch and compliance was statistically significant (p<.03).
Conclusions:
- Physical touch is a powerful nonverbal cue that can substantially increase compliance with requests.
- Even a brief touch can influence prosocial behavior and willingness to help.
- Findings suggest touch can overcome reluctance for more substantial favors.