“Cute aggression” or why we want to pinch babies’ cheeks
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Round cheeks, big eyes, high forehead, small chin and nose in children awaken in a person a mixture of feelings of warmth, love, joy and excitement. The same applies to animals.
Why this happens was explained in the publication Psychology today.
The concept of “child schema” was proposed by the scientist Konrad Lorenz in 1943. Under this term, he gathered a set of attributes that people find cute.
After encountering this schema in any form (such as animals or objects), there is a natural, evolutionary desire to interact with it in the same way as with human infants. This partly explains the love for baby animals.
| Photo: Alekuwka/Depositphotos |
The scientists continued the research and found out that the strong influence is due to three reasons.
Cuteness causes emotional overload
A 2019 study found that viewing a “child’s pattern” triggers an emotional response in us called “kama mutha.” It is a Sanskrit term that means emotion, love, warmth, nostalgia, and even patriotism.
Scientists hypothesize that the response occurs when “cute creatures” are shown affection – it makes them cute.
In another study, scientists found that interacting with something cute sometimes evokes complex and conflicting emotions.
Because cute things evoke intense positive emotions in us, sometimes this can lead to a lack of control or restlessness – and this will not be a negative experience.
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| Photo: cynoclub/Depositphotos |
Cuteness promotes a strong behavioral response
Scientists also called this reaction “cute aggression”, because cuteness causes extremely strong feelings and is manifested in a high-pitched voice and a desire to squeeze, bite or pinch a cute creature.
Scientists coined this term in 2015 and explained the neurological basis for such a reaction. This is how the brain releases the intense emotions, excitement, and happiness that we experience.
Cute aggression also makes us more attentive to vulnerable creatures who cannot take care of themselves. There is an instinctive drive to protect, nurture and maintain closeness to a cute subject.
Cuteness affects actions
A Japanese study proves that a “cute” interface can promote the desire to interact with artificial intelligence.
And people tend to make more indulgent purchases when they see cute objects, including “cute-looking food.”
But that’s not all: in 2021, scientists investigated the effect on reactions. They found that happier facial expressions in photos of low-income children were perceived as cuter than sadder ones. And this led to greater audience empathy and a greater level of charitable donations to a charitable cause.
Read also: Why do children tolerate COVID-19 more easily than adults? Scientists have guesses
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