Study finding link between kissing and income inequality wins global prize

Study finding link between kissing and income inequality wins global prize

ABOVE: Dr Christopher Watkins

An Abertay researcher who led a study that discovered a link between income inequality and how often people French kiss has won a global award.

Dr Christopher Watkins and his colleagues were recognised at the annual Ig Nobel Awards, which acknowledges research which makes you laugh, then think.

They were presented with the Ig Nobel prize for Economics during an online ceremony by Professor Frances Arnold, a former recipient of the Nobel prize for chemistry.

Dr Watkins’ cross-cultural study involved 2300 participants from 13 different countries across six continents.

Respondents were asked a range of questions including how often they French kissed their partner, and how important they thought kissing was.

"I thank those who supported the research, as well as the Ig Nobel panel for honouring us with this prize.” - Dr Christopher Watkins

The study revealed that people who lived in less economically equal nations said they kissed their partners more often.

Dr Watkins said: “I am very happy to have received the award alongside my co-authors. I thank those who supported the research, as well as the Ig Nobel panel for honouring us with this prize.”

“Although it’s a shame not to have been able to attend the Harvard ceremony in person due to the pandemic, I look forward to experiencing the atmosphere of the ceremony in the future.”

Abertay University offers BSc (Hons) degree courses in Psychology and Psychology and Counselling as well as Masters by Research and PhD opportunities. 

To view the full study visit: www.nature.com/articles/s41598-019-43267-7

For more information about studying Psychology at Abertay visit: https://www.abertay.ac.uk/schools/social-and-health-sciences/division-of-psychology/