The “psychology of cuteness” might sound made up, but it has roots in research going back to 1943. Here’s what to know about the science of cuteness and why tiny objects—both natural and artificial—have the ability to make us feel happy and comforted.
The Origins of Cuteness Psychology
Even if you don’t recognize his name, you’re probably familiar with the work of Konrad Lorenz, a German ethnologist who introduced the concept of the baby schema (“Kindchenschema”) in 1943. The “baby schema” is the theory that certain physical features that are typically associated with babies—like a round face and big eyes—are so irresistibly cute to humans they will prompt us to feel a delightful desire to take care of someone or something. “The psychology of cuteness is the idea that we find things cute when they require parental care,” says Amanda Levison, a licensed professional counselor from Neurofeedback & Counseling Center in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. “This elicits a response to take care of the babies or baby animals that need to be taken care of. Seeing something small and cute stimulates bonding behaviors and the need to take care of it and protect it.” And while this tidy evolutionary explanation makes sense, our attraction to small objects isn’t entirely a result of a primitive desire to act as a parent. In fact, more recent research has indicated that our reaction to cuteness isn’t necessarily directly related to some sort of instinctual need to nurture, but rather more of a general, positive feeling that can influence how we socially interact with other people. Here are some of the ways that can play out. Oxytocin is not the only hormone involved. “Dopamine is one of the most important hormones that trigger happiness and a positive emotional response,” Sehat says. “Whenever we see tiny things we find cute and attractive, our brain releases dopamine and makes us feel happy.” This is another example of evolutionary biology at work, according to Sam Von Reiche, PsyD, a clinical psychologist in Paramus, New Jersey, and the author of Rethink Your Shrink: The Best Alternatives to Talk Therapy and Meds. “The human brain is designed to love cute, small things by rewarding us with a shot of dopamine—which makes us feel very happy—to help guarantee we will be drawn to our tiny babies and want to take care of and protect them,” Von Reiche says. “This ensures their survival and, in turn, the survival of our species.” By the time we’re adults, we have decades of experience forming strong emotional attachments with external objects, something Dr. Choudhary says is part of our neurodevelopmental process. “Psychoanalysts call them ’transitional objects’ because they are a source of security while we process and understand our world,” he explains, noting that these items are usually small, like a doll, blanket, or ball. But, as we’ve learned from the plot of every Toy Story movie, there comes a point when children outgrow their playthings. “As we grow older, this need to find external security diminishes as our internal world becomes more prominent,” Dr. Choudhary explains. In times of stress, we return to things that gave us comfort at an early age. It doesn’t need to be the exact teddy bear or toy we played with as a child—or even a toy at all. It could be a miniature version of an item. “Subconsciously, we associate tiny objects with the security and comfort they brought us in an earlier time in our lives,” he says. There’s also the “awe factor,” or wondering how in the world something that’s usually so big can be made in such a small size. “Seeing a marvel or feat that reminds us how amazing, talented, creative people make us feel good,” says Gail Saltz, MD, a psychiatrist and associate professor of psychiatry at the New York Presbyterian Hospital Weill-Cornell School of Medicine. “Seeing something that makes us use our imagination, and is so original [that] it gives us pleasure can, like art, [be] a creative wonder.” Along the same lines, Levison points out that we’re drawn to “their helplessness [and] inability to pose a threat to us.” So not only are tiny things less intimidating, but they can also give us the confidence boost that comes with feeling in control or dominant (even if that feeling is triggered by one of those airplane-sized bottles of Tabasco sauce). This is also one of the reasons people purchase (and then gift or collect) small souvenirs when they’re out of town. “Certain tiny objects from one’s travels—for example, a tiny Eiffel Tower—can bring a sense of connection to important life events and the people who have shared our journey,” she adds. “Depending on one’s inner needs, a miniature object can bring a sense of pleasure, satisfaction, and even emotional relief.”
