AP51104

Science Summary

Kissing is affectionate play (or foreplay without contact with the genital organs), (Wood, 300). Researchers from Oxford University suggests kissing helps us size up potential partners and, once in a relationship, may be a way of getting a partner to stick around. "Kissing in human sexual relationships is incredibly prevalent in various forms across just about every society and culture. So here's a human courtship behavior which is incredibly widespread and common and, in extent, is quite unique. And we are still not exactly sure why it is so widespread or what purpose it serves" (Wlodarski, 4). Too understand better,Wlodarski and Professor Robin Dunbar set up an online questionnaire in which over 900 adults answered questions about the importance of kissing in both short-term and long-term relationships. "There are three main theories about the role that kissing plays in sexual relationships: that it somehow helps assess the genetic quality of potential mates; that it is used to increase arousal (to initiate sex for example); and that it is useful in keeping relationships together" (Wlodarski, 7). The survey responses showed that women rated kissing as generally more important in relationships than men. Furthermore, men and women who rated themselves as being attractive, or who tended to have more short-term relationships and casual encounters, also rated kissing as being more important.

References:


 * 1) Wlodarski, R. & Dunbar, R.I.M. **Examining the Possible Functions of Kissing in Romantic Relationships**. //Archives of Sexual Behavior//, 2013 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-013-0190-1
 * 2)  Wood, Samuel E., Ellen R. Green. Wood, and Denise Roberts. Boyd. // Mastering the World of Psychology // . Fourth ed. Boston: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon, 2011. Print.

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