In a previous blog I discussed how tree frogs attract each other in the mating process. The males do so by making croaking noises which the females will pick up on and then choose a mate However, the choosing process is not as simple as we think it’d be for an animal. It’s more than just finding a frog of the opposite gender, but it has more to do with finding one that’s more masculine (aka has more chromosomes) and therefore a better mate. This is similar to how humans find mates of their own.

As it turns out, there’s actually a science behind kissing, much like there’s a science behind female frogs’ mate choice. According to behavioral scientists, there’s a theory that states humans engage in kissing because it allows us to prospect “genetic potential” in our mates  (http://theweek.com/article/index/251063/why-do-we-kiss-behavioral-science-weighs-in). Essentially, it’s basically like our bodies are using and analyzing the DNA of the person we kiss to determine if they would be suitable to create offspring with. What our bodies are actually searching for is an immune system/genetic qualities/fitness levels that’s polar opposite of ours so that you both could come together and make an offspring that has a combination of the best assets of the two of you in their DNA  (http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131010205142.htm).

Of course, there are many other reasons why we, as humans, engage in kissing like keeping a bond between one another after a relationship has already been established. But the key idea here is that upon the first kissing encounter the main idea of kissing is to determine if someone is compatible with you. This is much like how female frogs determine whether the male frogs’ tones are more or less suitable as ideal mates.

There are probably many more species that identify their mates through some sort of “genetic testing”, if you will, but I just so happened to come across the articles about the frogs and it reminded me of a discussion we had in psychology class about why humans kiss and the experiment found that the frogs do so in a similar way.

I think that it’s interesting how, on the lowest level, both humans and frogs choose ideal mates on the basis of genetic potential and compatibility. This idea is similar to Charles Darwin’s idea of “survival of the fittest” and that’s what I think it comes down to. The reason both (or more) species choose based on genetic qualities is because it increases the predicted survival/longevity of their offspring and the ultimate goal of a species is to never die out.

Bibliography

Gayomali, Chris. “Why Do We Kiss? Behavioral Science Weighs In.” The Week. N.p., 11 Oct. 2013. Web. 04 Nov. 2014. <http://theweek.com/article/index/251063/why-do-we-kiss-behavioral-science-weighs-in>.

“Kissing Helps Us Find the Right Partner – and Keep Them.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2014. <http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/10/131010205142.htm>.