Date of Award
Spring 5-12-2017
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science - Resource Interpretation
Department
Forestry
First Advisor
Dr. Shelby Laird
Second Advisor
Dr. Pat Stephens Williams
Third Advisor
Dr. Ray Darville
Abstract
The role of interpersonal touch has been studied in communication fields, demonstrating a handshake or other form of appropriate interpersonal touch (AIT) has rendered favorable results in rapport building with an audience as well as developing audience comfort and receptivity to messaging. This study aimed to determine if the use of a handshake prior to interpretive programming would increase the positivity of perception of a visitor toward interpreters and/or the message shared by interpreters. Researchers also sought the viewpoints of professionals in the field of interpretation about the current use and perception of touch. Finally, a post-survey interview was conducted with each interpreter involved the study. Through three angles, the research demonstrated that AIT positively affects a visitor’s perception of the interpreter and the message shared. The research also provides boundaries and next steps toward researching AIT’s role in the field of interpretation.
Repository Citation
Shortt, Mickey Jr., "DOES TOUCH HAVE A PLACE IN INTERPRETATION? RESEARCHING THE ROLE OF APPROPRIATE INTERPERSONAL TOUCH (AIT) IN INTERPRETIVE PROGRAMS" (2017). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 95.
https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/95
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
