Valentine’s Day: What makes a good kiss? Here is the psychology behind it
Scientists have found that the quality of a kiss is less about technique and more about “the thoughts, fantasies, and emotional context we bring to it.”
Researchers at Abertay University have challenged the widely held belief that kissing inherently sparks sexual chemistry; instead, he explored the profound impact of cognitive and emotional elements on kissing behaviors.
Their methodology involved an online survey in which participants from the United Kingdom and Italy were questioned about their attitudes, experiences and fantasies regarding intimacy and the act of kissing.
In addition to assessing their own perceived kissing skills, they also evaluated what they considered the hallmarks of a good kisser.
The survey also collected data on the frequency of intimate fantasies and details about sexual desires.
The results showed that kissing was “much more than a sensory experience.”
Researchers found that people who frequently fantasize about intimacy tend to place greater emphasis on touch and arousal when deciding what makes a person a good kisser.
This model held true even when researchers took factors such as creativity and sexual desire into account.
They said this shows that imagination, not just physical sensation, plays an important role in how we experience love.
Senior lecturer in sociological and psychological sciences at Abertay University, Dr. Christopher Watkins said: “Our findings show that kissing is much more than a sensory experience.
“It is shaped by the thoughts, fantasies, and emotional context we bring to it.
“Historically, some research on human sexuality has focused on how we respond to sensory experiences and physical stimuli, but our study highlights how imagination and internal states when kissing a partner play an important role in how we interact with our partner.
“By examining both psychological and physical elements, we can better understand why people differ in how they use and appreciate kissing in their relationships and why a single kiss can feel so meaningful.”
The study’s findings could be developed into a “simple tool” in couples therapy, the team said.
Study co-author Milena Rota, currently a PhD student at the University of Leicester, said: “By showing how fantasy shapes romantic behaviour, our research offers a new perspective on the role our thoughts play in how we express ourselves in romantic contexts.
“Our research could be further developed as a simple tool in couples therapy and looked at how fantasy can drive behavior (in this case, a romantic kiss), where frequent kissing has previously been shown to be associated with higher quality romantic relationships.”
The research was published in the journal Sexual and Relationship Therapy.
