Cuteness

Cuteness is usually characterized by (though not limited to) some combination of infant-like physical traits, especially small body size with a disproportionately big head, large eyes, a small nose, dimples, round and softer body features. Infantile personality traits, such as playfulness, fragility, helplessness, curiosity, innocence, affectionate behavior and a need to be nurtured are also generally considered cute.

Semantics

The adjective cute has evolved much and is often used as slang for a sarcastic or otherwise disrespectful tone of voice in conversation ("Don't get cute with me!"). Another possible use is as a reference to human physical beauty or sexual desirability of any kind ("Those guys are so cute!"). It also sometimes refers to small gift items such as jewelries, wearable accessories and stuffed toys.

Psychology of cuteness

Konrad Lorenz argued in 1950 that infantile features triggered nurturing responses in adults. Lorenz argued that this was an evolutionary adaptation, which helped ensure that adults cared for their children, ultimately securing the survival of the species. As evidence for this theory, Lorenz noted that humans react more positively to animals that resemble infants—with big eyes, big heads, shortened noses, etc.—than to animals that do not.

Another way to phrase Lorenz's point is to say that humans prefer animals which exhibit pedomorphosis. Pedomorphosis is the retention of child-like characteristics—such as big heads or large eyes—into adulthood. Thus, pedomorphosis and cuteness may explain the popularity of Giant Pandas and Koalas. The widely perceived cuteness of domesticated animals, such as dogs and cats, may be due to the fact that humans selectively breed their pets for infant-like characteristics, including non-aggressive behavior and child-like appearance.

Some later scientific studies have provided further evidence for Lorenz's theory. For example, it has been shown that human adults react positively to infants who are stereotypically cute. Studies have also shown that responses to cuteness—and to facial attractiveness generally—seem to be similar across and within cultures.

Additionally, cuteness—or at least physical characteristics associated with infancy—seems to be recognized instinctively by many mammals as well as humans. This is probably because infant mammals share many of the same characteristics as infant humans. The many documented cases of wild animals adopting human foundlings may be explained by the human children's cuteness triggering the maternal instinct in their animal foster mothers.

Cultural significance

Cuteness is a major marketing tool in many cultures. This is most famously the case in Japan, where cuteness is a national obsession known as kawaisa. Of course, cuteness is also an important selling point in the West. Elmo, The Family Circus, Furby, Precious Moments, and many other cultural icons and products trade on their cuteness—not to mention the overwhelming international success of Japanese exports like Pokémon or Hello Kitty. It can be a factor in live action productions such as the successful documentary film, March of the Penguins, where the intense cuteness of the penguins was cited as a major reason for the film's outstanding appeal. This technique was repeated in the computer-animated film Happy Feet as well as the Honey, I Shrunk The Kids trilogy, the Three Men and a Baby duology, and elements of One Good Cop.

Stephen Jay Gould remarked on this phenomenon in an article for the journal Natural History, in which he pointed out that over time Mickey Mouse had been drawn more and more to resemble an infant—with bigger head, bigger eyes, and so forth. Gould suggested that this change in Mickey's image was intended to increase his popularity by making him appear cuter.

Further reading

• Stephen Jay Gould, "A Biological Homage to Mickey Mouse", The Panda's Thumb, W.W. Norton & Company, 1980.

• Konrad Lorenz, "Part and Parcel in Animal and Human Societies", in Studies in animal and human behavior, vol. 2. pp. 115-195. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard UP, 1971 (originally pub. 1950.)

• Natalie Angier, "The Cute Factor", The New York Times, 2006-1-3.[1]

• Jeanne Moos, "The Science of Cuteness/Cutie Contest", CNN Headline News, 2006-12-17.[2]

See also

• Anthropomorphism
• Beauty
• Cute Overload
• Cuteness in Japanese culture
• Lolcat
• Lookism
• Neoteny
• Physical attractiveness
• Puppy face