The kiss of death: three tests of the relationship between disease threat and ritualized physical contact within traditional cultures

Evolution and Human Behavior • Vol/Iss. In Press • Elsevier • • Published In • Pages: In Press •
By Murray, Damian R., Fessler, Daniel M.T., Kerry, Nicholas, White, Claire, Marin, Maya

Hypothesis

Historical pathogen prevalence will be negatively associated with prevalence of romantic kissing (4).

Test

Test NameSupportSignificanceCoefficientTail
Logistic regressionSupportedp = 0.01Standardized beta = -0.79UNKNOWN

Variables

Variable NameVariable Type OCM Term(s)
Pathogen PrevalenceIndependentMorbidity
Presence/absence Of Romantic-sexual KissDependentSexual Stimulation