The results from the preliminary kissing survey posted here a few weeks back have been incorporated into the design of next week’s cognitive neuroscience experiment in NYC. Follow the research live on Twitter @Sheril_.

I’m going through my inbox and very impressed with how many readers are sending emails related to The Science of Kissing since I announced the title last week.

Thanks to ‘Dan G.‘ for the Zits comic from today’s paper:

And ‘Annie‘ for this ridiculous story in the news:

PORTLAND, Maine – A Maine high school senior says he was denied his diploma because he bowed during graduation and blew a kiss to his mother.

At least a half dozen emails arrived related to the kissing article in the latest issue of SciAm Mind. (Looks like a reprint from an old issue). Terrific work so far! I really appreciate the help and I have a hunch some of the material will find it’s way into the book. So thanks to everyone who sent articles, links, comics, scanned newspaper clippings, and more!

And finally this suggestion from ‘Hal‘ who’s already thinking about a book ‘soundtrack‘:

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Dearest readers,

Tremendous thanks to all who have participated in the kissing survey so far. By the time I opened my laptop this morning, I had over 500 responses! Many of you offered suggestions, questions, and far more information than I requested–from sexual preferences to accounts of your own erotic encounters. Admittedly, I still have hundreds to read.  I was also pleased to read several blog posts and online debates related to my investigation.

These preliminary findings will be incorporated into the selection process for images used in a cognitive neuroscience experiment taking place in July. Additional data is being collected to control for bias and the results will be included in my next book, The Science of Kissing.  I’m extremely encouraged that so many readers are interested in the project and have great expectations for what I may learn in the lab.  And you bet I’ll keep readers posted!

I really wish I could write back to everyone personally who has participated in the study, but the number of emails makes it impossible.  Please accept my sincerest thanks for your input, stories, and perspectives.

XX,

Sheril

Update: Thanks to all who have participated in the kissing survey. The polls are now closed, but my associated cognitive neuroscience experiment begins next week. You can follow the research live on Twitter @Sheril_.

My next book deals with a subject I’ve written extensively about on and off the blog. I even helped to facilitate a popular symposium at last years AAAS meeting on topic…

The Science of Kissing will be an interdisciplinary look at why and how we kiss, drawing on neuroscience, classical history, evolutionary biology, anthropology, and popular culture. Without giving away too much detail, I’ll say that it’s been extremely interesting to compose so far and more fascinating than I ever imagined.  And then I got to thinking…

Why merely report on the science when there are obvious next steps in research? So I did what anyone in my position would. I called up a neuroscientist. The wonderful Dr. David Poeppel has kindly agreed to help me conduct a a cognitive neuroscience experiment next month and now I need you to help us plan the methodology.  Results will be featured in the book!

Here’s what to do: Below the fold you’ll see a 15 photos (labeled A-O) of couples kissing. We need you to help us categorize them into three groups:

1) erotic – passionate/sexually-charged kiss
2) friendship – kiss between friends
3) relationship – affectionate kiss implying commitment

I’m turning off comments on this post so responses won’t be biased.

To participate, email me (srkirshenbaum@yahoo.com) with the list of letters (A-O) and corresponding rank (1, 2, or 3) based on how you perceive each image.

Names and contact information will not be shared or published.  Thanks to all for participating and please do encourage friends to take our survey as well!

(photos removed when survey ended)