"Thought You Were Lovers, But Just Friends?" The Key Factor That Distinguishes Relationships

Study Finds Hug Duration Varies by Relationship
"A Hug Lasting More Than Seven Seconds Indicates Deep Affection"

A recent study has found that hugs exchanged in daily life are more than just a simple greeting-they serve as an important means of conveying emotion. The duration and style of a hug reflect the closeness of the relationship and individual personality traits.

The New York Post reported on September 9 (local time) that a research team from MSH Medical School Hamburg in Germany conducted a hugging experiment with 60 participants who were either friends or romantic partners. The results of this study were published in the psychology journal, Journal of Nonverbal Behavior.

During the experiment, participants were recorded hugging each other multiple times using 14 high-speed cameras, and the footage was analyzed with artificial intelligence (AI)-based motion capture software. Participants also completed surveys regarding their personality and emotional processing styles.

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The analysis revealed that the most notable difference was in the 'duration' of the hug. Hugs between friends lasted an average of 2.88 seconds, while those between romantic partners averaged 7.02 seconds-more than twice as long. The researchers explained, "A short hug of less than three seconds is likely to fall within the category of friendship, while a hug lasting more than seven seconds suggests deep affection."

The 'style' of the hug was influenced more by individual personality than by the nature of the relationship. The distance between knees, feet, and hips showed little difference between friends and romantic partners. Some romantic partners hugged lightly while keeping a distance, whereas some close friends embraced tightly.

Personality traits also emerged as an important factor. Individuals with neurotic tendencies, who frequently experience negative emotions such as anxiety or sadness, tended to hug loosely. Conversely, those who scored high in conscientiousness and responsibility were more likely to hug closely and firmly.

Sebastian Ocklenburg, the lead researcher, stated, "By paying attention to the length of a hug during farewells, you can get a sense of whether the other person sees you simply as a friend or has more special feelings."

However, some have pointed out that the experiment was limited to 60 participants from Germany, meaning that cultural differences may have influenced the results and that generalization should be approached with caution.