Cuteness that makes you want to squeeze
Faced with a chubby baby or a tiny puppy, plenty of people say "I could just eat you up" or clench their teeth. It seems contradictory: why would a good feeling come out as wanting to squeeze or pinch?
Read also: Why dogs seem to understand our emotions and Why great music gives you chills.
What the study found
Oriana Aragón and colleagues at Yale University showed that it is common to react to cute things with seemingly aggressive expressions, like squeezing or playful nibbling. The people who showed this reaction most also came down from the intense emotion faster.
Source: Aragón et al., Dimorphous Expressions of Positive Emotion, Psychological Science, 2015.
Why it happens
The authors' hypothesis is that expressing an opposite emotion helps regulate an overwhelming positive one, like crying at a wedding. It is the body's way of balancing the excess, with no intent to hurt.
What makes something cute
Zoologist Konrad Lorenz described the features that make something look cute: a big head for the body, large eyes, round cheeks and a high forehead. They are typical of babies, which is why puppies, kittens, cartoon characters and even cars with round "faces" trigger the same reaction. A review in Trends in Cognitive Sciences shows cuteness is not only visual: baby laughter, soft sounds and even smells count. Cuteness grabs attention in a fraction of a second and activates brain regions tied to reward, likely because it helps make sure babies get care.
Source: Kringelbach et al., On Cuteness, Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2016.
What the brain shows
In 2018, researchers at the University of California, Riverside recorded the brain's electrical activity in adults looking at photos of babies and animals, some edited to look cuter. Those who reported more urge to squeeze also showed stronger brain responses tied to emotion and reward. It fits the Yale idea: "I could squeeze you" works as a release valve, not a real wish to hurt. See also why dogs seem to understand our emotions.
Source: Stavropoulos and Alba, It's so Cute I Could Crush It, Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2018.
Sources
- Aragón OR et al. Dimorphous Expressions of Positive Emotion. Psychological Science, 2015. https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797614561044
- Kringelbach ML et al. On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2016. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003
- Stavropoulos KKM, Alba LA. "It's so Cute I Could Crush It!": Understanding Neural Mechanisms of Cute Aggression. Frontiers in Behavioral Neuroscience, 2018. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00300
Frequently asked questions
Is cute aggression normal?
Yes. Research shows it is a common reaction and is not linked to any desire to cause harm.
Why does it happen?
One hypothesis is that an opposite expression helps regulate an overwhelming positive emotion.
What makes something look cute?
Baby-like features such as a large head, big eyes, round cheeks and a high forehead, plus sounds like baby laughter.
Does everyone feel cute aggression?
No. It varies from person to person, and many people never feel the urge.
