Of course, the simplest answer is that humans kiss because it just feels good. But there are people for whom this explanation isn’t quite sufficient. They formally study the anatomy and evolutionary history of kissing and call themselves philematologists.
So far, these kiss scientists haven’t conclusively explained how human smooching originated, but they’ve come up with a few theories, and they’ve mapped out how our biology is affected by a passionate lip-lock.
A big question is whether kissing is learned or instinctual. Some say it is a learned behavior, dating back to the days of our early human ancestors. Back then, mothers may have chewed food and passed it from their mouths into those of their toothless infants. Even after babies cut their teeth, mothers would continue to press their lips against their toddlers’ cheeks to comfort them.
Supporting the idea that kissing is learned rather than instinctual is the fact that not all humans kiss. Certain tribes around the world just don’t make out, anthropologists say. While 90 percent of humans actually do kiss, 10 percent have no idea what they’re missing.
Others believe kissing is indeed an instinctive behavior, and cite animals’ kissing-like behaviors as proof. While most animals rub noses with each other as a gesture of affection, others like to pucker up just like humans. Bonobos, for example, make up tons of excuses to swap some spit. They do it to make up after fights, to comfort each other, to develop social bonds, and sometimes for no clear reason at all – just like us.
Today, the most widely accepted theory of kissing is that humans do it because it helps us sniff out a quality mate. When our faces are close together, our pheromones “talk” – exchanging biological information about whether or not two people will make strong offspring. Women, for example, subconsciously prefer the scent of men whose genes for certain immune system proteins are different from their own. This kind of match could yield offspring with stronger immune systems, and better chances for survival.
Still, most people are satisfied with the explanation that humans kiss because it feels good. Our lips and tongues are packed with nerve endings, which help intensify all those dizzying sensations of being in love when we press our mouths to someone else’s. Experiencing such feelings doesn’t usually make us think too hard about why we kiss – instead, it drives us to find ways to do it more often.
2007-03-23 12:59:11
·
answer #1
·
answered by friendofb 5
·
4⤊
1⤋
Kissing replaced into invented via the classic Egyptians, who necessary a midway ingredient between retaining palms and "going all the way." with the aid of long experimentation, they ultimately desperate that some areas of the physique are extra kissable than others. The Pharaohs oftentimes married their sisters, it fairly is why all of us comprehend on the instant that kissing your sister isn't almost as remarkable as kissing your neighbor's sister.
2016-10-19 11:24:39
·
answer #2
·
answered by ? 4
·
0⤊
0⤋
People kiss because of the high number of nerve endings in the lips - they're very sensitive. If you pay attention to a baby exploring new objects, they'll put them in their mouth.
Also, here's a website I found with some historical exploration of kissing: http://www.paralumun.com/lovekissorigin.htm
2007-03-23 13:00:25
·
answer #3
·
answered by Miss Claire 2
·
0⤊
0⤋
Kissing originated when people licked each other to get salt.
2007-03-23 12:58:45
·
answer #4
·
answered by naejplman 2
·
0⤊
1⤋
check your facts
2007-03-23 13:02:25
·
answer #5
·
answered by Anonymous
·
1⤊
4⤋
more to the point,,,,,,,how did banging start.
2007-03-23 12:57:43
·
answer #6
·
answered by "THE WISE ONE" 1
·
1⤊
1⤋
It started when mum's had to give their young mushed up food 'weaning' .
The mother would chew the food first them pass it onto the youngster by mouth.
2007-03-23 12:58:53
·
answer #7
·
answered by Anonymous
·
3⤊
0⤋
Meriskie has the correct facts
2007-03-23 14:04:49
·
answer #8
·
answered by L 3
·
0⤊
0⤋
I do not know why.
A girl kissed me when I was a boy.
And I did not know what to do!
2007-03-23 12:59:36
·
answer #9
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋
Primitive feeding ritual from one to another
2007-03-23 12:57:20
·
answer #10
·
answered by Anonymous
·
0⤊
0⤋