• Question: What makes us think that things are cute?

    Asked by lisaloo to Claire, Matt, Rob, Sam on 26 Jun 2013.
    • Photo: Sam Geen

      Sam Geen answered on 26 Jun 2013:

      I think it’s a response that helps us look after babies, rather than ignoring them and letting them survive on their own like a lot of species. We like kittens and puppies because the brain thinks of them like babies to be looked after. A bit like how cats behave like they’re still kittens and humans are their mothers.

    • Photo: Matthew Pankhurst

      Matthew Pankhurst answered on 26 Jun 2013:

      Yes, most cute things are helpless in some way and that triggers our “I want to care for you” instinct…. and it makes us go dawwwwwww

    • Photo: Claire Lee

      Claire Lee answered on 26 Jun 2013:

      I agree with the guys above – and I think that it’s also possibly why girls tend to be more affected by cute kittens and puppies than guys, because of our motherly instinct.

      One thing that really struck me when my son was born was how I immediately felt more responsible for any other child I came across, even if I didn’t know them! I don’t think guys get this as much – what do you think, Matt?

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