Is the romantic-sexual kiss a near human universal?

American Anthropologist • Vol/Iss. 117(3) • Published In • Pages: 535-539 •
By Jankowiak, William, Volsche, Shelly L. , Garcia, Justin R.

Abstract

The authors examine a world-wide sample of cultures to assess whether the romantic-sexual kiss is a human universal. They also test for an association between romantic-sexual kissing and social complexity.

Note

Sampled 128 eHRAF cultures, 27 SCCS cultures (not in eHRAF), and 13 cultures from personal correspondance.

Samples

Sample Used Coded Data Comment
eHRAF World CulturesResearchers Own
Standard Cross Cultural Sample (SCCS)Combination
OtherResearchers Ownpersonal correspondance with ethnographers

Hypotheses (2)

HypothesisSupported
The romantic-sexual kiss is not a human universal.Supported
There will be a relationship between the romantic-sexual kiss and social complexity.Supported
Documents and Hypotheses Filed By: Tahlisa Brougham