1. By: Deanna Duermit, Mikayla Mowzoon, Jenna Tioseco
Sex Differences in Romantic Kissing Among College Students: An Evolutionary Perspective
By: Deanna Duermit, Mikayla Mowzoon, Jenna Tioseco
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),

2. Purpose & Participants
The study provides a descriptive account of kissing behavior by measuring attitudes, preferences, and sex differences and considers kissing within the context of both short-term and long-term mating situations among a large sample of college students that were enrolled in psychology classes at the University of Albany and State University of New York.
1,041 college students enrolled in psychology classes at the University of Albany, State University of New York
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),

3. Study #1 Hypothesis: Kissing as a mate assessment device
Given that males are less sensitive to chemosensory cues, making such assessments of a female’s fertility by means of kissing may be more difficult, and we suggest that males may require greater salivary exchange to facilitate assessments of female fertility and, for that reason, prefer wetter, open mouth, tongue kisses.
Report attitudes and experiences regarding kissing behavior in regards to:
Short vs. Long-term relationships
Tongue kissing
Kissing in regards to sexual behavior
501 Participants
470 Sample- not counting those who have never kissed and prefer same sex relations/kissing
Questions were based on a 5-pt Likert scale
Breath and Taste
Kissing and Sexual behavior
Bonding and Relationships
Salivary Exchange
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),

4. Study #1 Results Breath and taste
More Females than males rated breath and taste of mouth as more important when deciding to kiss or continue kissing someone
Kissing and sexual behavior
Females thought kissing leads to sex more often with a long term partner than a short term partner. Men thought kissing lead to sex on the same degree no matter the relationship status.
Females put greater importance on kissing in comparison to males
Bonding and relationships
For males, importance of kissing decreases over time in a relationship, for females it remains constant
Salivary exchange
Interaction: men constantly preferred wetter kisses, women preferred wetter kisses with long term partner than with short term
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),

5. Study #2 Hypothesis: Kissing induces bonding
When it comes to short-term mating, men may avoid women who demand serious commitments or investments before consenting to sex. Therefore, men may place less importance on kissing with short-term mates to avoid creating a bond.
The benefits afforded to females who pursue short-term mating strategies are different than those for males. Reasons why females engage in short-term mating may include gaining resources, achieving genetic diversity among their children, mate switching, or current mate manipulation. In these instances, creating a bond with a short-term mate may be more likely, so the idea of kissing
Elaboration and part replication of Study #1
273 Participants
257 Sample
Questions based on 5-pt Likert scale
Kissing and sexual behavior
Bonding and relationships
Salivary exchange
Attractiveness and Kissing
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),

6. Study #2 Results Kissing and sexual behavior Bonding and relationships
Interaction: males more likely to have sex without kissing a short time partner versus females, and males and females the same for not kissing a long-term partner
Bonding and relationships
Greater bond created by kissing after sex with a long-term partner
Salivary exchange
Males prefer more tongue contact on a first kiss
Kissing and Attractiveness
Males more likely to kiss or have sex with someone they were not attracted to
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),

7. Study #3 Hypothesis: Kissing Increases Sexual Arousal and Receptivity
Kissing can be viewed as an activity that increases sexual arousal and receptivity. There is evidence that males, in particular, use kissing as an attempt to “seduce” romantic partners and kissing may be used by men as a strategy to gain sexual access to females.
One possibility is that men may use kissing to introduce hormones or proteins into women’s mouths, thereby manipulating their mating psychology, and making them more likely to have sex. It is also possible that males may perceive a greater wetness or salivary exchange during kissing as an index of the female’s sexual arousal/ receptivity, similar to the act of sexual intercourse.
Examined perceived importance of kissing practices, attitudes towards kissing, and assessment of partners
267 Participants
250 Sample
Questions based on 5-pt Likert scale
Kissing and Sexual Behavior
Salivary Exchange and Jealousy
Attractiveness and Kissing
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),

8. Study #3 Results Kissing and sexual behavior
Males more likely to kiss someone they just wanted to have sex with and not have a relationship with
Salivary exchange and jealousy
More jealousy occurs when their partner kisses another member of the opposite sex when tongue contact occurs verses no tongue contact.
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),

9. Discussion Points
Out of 1,041 respondents, all aged 18 or older, only 5 individuals reported never having romantically kissed another person. About 70% of the sample acknowledged kissing 6 or more people, while 20% estimated having kissed more than 20 people.
There were no or little sex differences in the number of kissing partners, nor were there sex differences in the age of experiencing one’s first romantic kiss.
Overall, the data showed that males feel kissing should lead to sex more often where as females do just the opposite. Females felt there was a greater likelihood that kissing should lead to sex with a long-term partner than a short-term partner, males felt that in either instance, kissing should lead to sex. Males also categorized a “good kiss” as one that leads to sex and one where “my partner makes moaning noises,” which may signal arousal and receptivity.
Video Clip: Friends
Discussion Questions:
Do you feel that the results of this study parallel the female/male interaction here at LMU?
What do you find the most intriguing about these results?
Do you feel like the results are accurate to generalize amongst all college students?
Hughes, S. M., Harrison , M. A., & Gallup, G. G. (2007). Sex differences in romantic kissing among college students: An evolutionary perspective. 5(3),