Main content

Anatomy of Touch: Culture

Does the culture we grow up in dictate how we feel about touch? Or are there more subtle influences at work? Claudia Hammond looks at the results of the Touch Test.

At the Pink Diamond Martial Arts Club Hasina teaches Luton women from all cultures to defend themselves physically. This form of touch helped Hasina overcome the bullying of her childhood. But how do early experiences and cultural influences shape how you feel about touch? Stereotypes abound for different nationalities, for example, the reserved British person complete with a stiff upper lip or the ebullient Italian. Michael Banissy from Goldsmiths University of London, writer of the Touchstone Tales, Sudha Bhuchar and Juulia Suvilehto from Linkoping University in Sweden look at the results of the Touch Test and ask if attitudes to touch are more nuanced than outdated stereotypes.

Release date:

Available now

14 minutes

The All in the Mind Awards 2025

The All in the Mind Awards 2025

Find full details and how to submit nominations for the Awards.

How to Manage Your Worries

How to Manage Your Worries

A quick and easy guide on how to cope with the things you worry about.

Podcast