Does cute aggression make us better at caring for babies? cars) with baby-like features (think Mini Coopers or VW Beetles with rounded edges and bigger headlights) are often perceived as "cute" and can compel a "let me care for it" reaction. Researchers have found that even inanimate objects such as cars (yes. In fact, almost anything that has baby-like features can trigger this response. When we see something that has baby-like features, we are driven to want to care for it, because we see it as vulnerable. The intense emotions associated with cute aggression are believed to be linked to our instinctual care mechanisms. As humans, our babies need constant care as they are highly dependent for a while after birth. The reason why some people feel so strongly about adorable babies or newborn animals - to the point where they experience cute aggression - is likely linked to our natural instinct to care for and protect our young. In a way, it’s trying to balance out and regulate the intense emotions you’re feeling. It’s thought that these systems working at the same time can effectively overwhelm the brain, so it starts producing aggressive thoughts to help control the strong positive ones. The study found that cuter photos resulted in higher brain activity in the emotional system, but also in the brain’s reward system (the area responsible for pleasure). In between pictures, the adults were asked what the photos made them feel and rated their level of cute aggression based on a scale developed by Yale researchers. They had participants view photos of babies and animals, with some photos edited to be “extra cute” (meaning bigger eyes and chubbier cheeks). The science behind cute aggressionĪ 2018 study analyzed brain activity as it related to cute aggression in hopes of understanding the "it's so cute I want to crush it" phenomenon. So let's talk about cute aggression and the reasons you want to squeeze every baby you see. Other studies have found that about 64 percent of people claim they’ve said the phrase “it’s so cute I want to squeeze it”, and about 74 percent of people said they’ve actually squeezed a cute animal before. Researchers estimate at least half of all adults experience these feelings regularly. If you ever get that urge to smush, squeeze, or bite incredibly cute things without ever wanting to cause any physical harm, then you're not alone. In fact, cute aggression is considered a normal response and is likely connected to our innate instinct to care for our young. It's a strange play of the mind where something is so cute we experience heightened, somewhat aggressive, emotions towards it - but don't worry, because it’s not as scary as it sounds! Nor is it actually a bad thing. Ever looked at a cute baby and just wanted to pinch their chubby cheeks or nibble on their toes? Or had an overwhelming urge to squeeze a wriggling little puppy so tight in your arms? Of course, without wanting to hurt it at all! If the answer’s 'yes', then you’re one of the many people who experience something called "cute aggression".
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |