What Makes One Hug More Memorable than Another?
The survey of more than 15,000 adults found 70% remembered hugs for positive feelings, while men were more likely than women to call them arousing.
- University of Bristol researchers analyzing 15,049 British adults found men are more likely than women to describe hugs as arousing, according to a study published yesterday in PLOS One. Most participants instead remembered hugs for their positive emotional impact, specifically comfort and support.
- The study surveyed 15,049 participants, of whom 75% were women. Researchers discovered that individual differences in empathy, attachment patterns, and body perception were all related to the likelihood of remembering a hug for its positive emotional effect.
- Closer analysis revealed that 3.9 per cent of men associated hugs with arousal, compared to only 0.8 per cent of women. While a third of women linked hugs to feelings of comfort, only a quarter of men reported the same association.
- People who display higher independence in relationships were less likely to remember hugs for their positive emotional value. Conversely, those who regularly greet friends and family with a hug were more likely to recall such moments fondly.
- Study lead author Anna Dueren noted that hugs are an important form of social touch associated with reduced stress and improved mood. Future research will investigate how personality, previous experiences, and context shape perception of these interactions.
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Psychology says people who remember a particular hug years later may be recalling the feeling of comfort more than the gesture itself; a new study of over 15,000 adults finds why some embraces stay with us
A newly released study explored the emotional power of hugs and how they shape our memories. By surveying over 15,000 adults, researchers found that feelings of comfort, support, and connection heavily influenced these memories. The analysis revealed interesting gender differences in remembering hugs, highlighting that individuals with high empathy recalled emotionally significant experiences more vividly. Additionally, personal attachment style…
A hug is most often remembered as a sign of comfort, support and understanding, but men are also more likely than women to describe it as an arousing experience. This is shown by a study of 15,049 adults in the UK, led by Anna Lena Duren of the University of Bristol and published in the journal PLOS One. Arousal was cited by 3.9% of men who recalled a hug, compared to 0.8% of women. Despite the difference, it was the least frequently cited reaso…
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The Independent
The Independent (US)Study reveals what makes some hugs special and memorable
Men were more likely to report physically arousing hugs as the most memorable
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