When We Touch

Touch matters. We rely on touch every day of our lives. It makes us who we are. It helps us connect with those around us. And yet touch between individuals can be fraught with confusion and misunderstanding. In ‘When We Touch’, social neuroscientist Professor Michael Banissy blends expert scientific insights with anecdotes from 90s rom coms to office politics to explore the new science of human touch. His book explains why touch is essential for healthy development, why a hugged person is a healthier person, how holding hands can make you less afraid, why teams who high five each other win more games, and how a shared handshake makes you more likely to tell the truth.