The extent to which certain nonverbal behaviors influence an individual and his or her behavior depends on many factors. Factors such as cultural norms, history of physical contact, and the relationship between those who touch and are touched all play an important role in how we go about our day. For example, if an individual has personal space around them and doesn't want anyone to get close, certain nonverbal behaviors they can perform will allow others to see that they aren't necessarily welcoming a hug or handshake. Understanding these impressions can impact how you make decisions, how you relate to each other, and, in some extreme cases, just how you get through the day. First impressions often begin with nonverbal communication, whether it's a father meeting a daughter's significant other for the first time, or an investigator reading signs of rape or abuse at the lift of a man's arm. Research has shown that those whose verbal behavior is consistent with their nonverbal behavior appear to be more trustworthy and easier to understand (Weisbuch, Ambady, Clarke, Achor, & Weele, 2010). Those whose verbal behavior is inconsistent with their nonverbal behavior appear to be deceptive and difficult to understand. This inconsistency that enters our perceptual system confuses us and disrupts our judgment of others (Weisbuch et al., 2010). This research aims to gain a better understanding of how the sense of touch can alter behavior and influence our daily lives. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay As you might assume, the development of the sense of touch and its enjoyment are vital to our daily lives, especially to understand our surroundings. The sense of touch develops in the embryo, before all the other senses we possess (Leonard, 2009). Despite all the other components necessary for a healthy life, children will not thrive without this sensitive touch. A landmark study conducted by Harry Harlow in 1958 demonstrated that a child's need for a mother's affection takes priority over the need for food. He accounted for this phenomenon by separating monkeys from their mothers at birth and keeping them in separate cages with two “surrogate” mothers in each cage. One was made of wire with milk inside, and the other of wood covered with sponge and without milk. Ignoring the milk and the desire to eat, the monkeys clung to the surrogate with the soft cloth (Hatfield, 2009). This implies that the desire for touch is much stronger than other desires and reveals that the bond between a baby and a mother depends more on affectionate touch than on dependence on the mother to provide food. The touch-deprived monkeys became withdrawn, disinterested in their environment and had trouble socializing with other companions. The behavior of these monkeys has provided us with strong evidence that touch deprivation can lead to depression, violence, and disease, all of which are exhibited by touch-deprived monkeys (Leonard, 2009). Having this knowledge, parents can appropriately share affection with their children to strengthen this emotional bond. This can prevent a child from growing up with aggression problems or prevent complications related to attachment with friends or significant others. The skin is the sensory organ of touch and is the largest sensory organ of all the senses. Sensory nerve endings are densely packed into every square inch of ours.