by Diane Boudreau
A lot of people would define "affection" the way they define good art: "I can't explain it, but I know it when I see it."
For a scientist, that's not enough. You can't measure affection, or its effects, without a clear definition of what it is.
Kory Floyd defines affectionate communication as "any behavior that is meant to convey appreciation, fondness, or love, and is generally interpreted that way."
But behaviors that are interpreted as affectionate can vary across cultures, the ASU communication professor warns.
For example, in America, kissing is considered a sign of affection. But in some places, people kiss hello instead of shaking hands. In such cultures, kissing is a sign of courtesy rather than affection.
Floyd divides affectionate behaviors into three main categories. For many years, affection researchers used a two-dimensional model, classifying affectionate communication as either verbal or ("I love you," "You're my best friend") or nonverbal (hugs, kisses, holding hands).
However, Floyd realized that many individuals express affection by providing favors or support. In his book, he uses the example of friends and relatives who show their affection for a newly divorced young mother by providing a sympathetic ear, offering to baby-sit, or helping her financially.
While these behaviors do not express affection directly, they may do it more profoundly than either verbal statements or nonverbal gestures.
Read more about affection research in "The effects of affection."
