Hugging a new acquaintance increases Social Interest

Decades of research show that social touch enhances interpersonal connection, from increasing relationship satisfaction to fostering prosociality among strangers. We tested whether a simple hug could increase Social Interest between strangers. Experimenters approached people on campus and invited them to join a study on touch. If they agreed, they were randomly assigned to either receive a hug or not. Afterward, the experimenter invited them to view vacation photos, with viewing time and number of photos serving as measures of Social Interest. Among 330 participants, those who received a hug showed greater Social Interest, and the more they liked the hug, the stronger the effect. Hugs between new acquaintances may promote connection.