Science of Cuteness

Humans are drawn to cute people and things. Can science explain why?

Cuteness, like beauty, has a universal appeal. There are few who can resist the charm of a pudgy baby or a child with chubby cheeks. Large heads, tiny features and huge eyes seem to have a surprising power over us. But why do we find these characteristics so attractive?

Credit: Razief Adlie

Isn't this baby cute? Most people find it hard to resist the charm of a cute young child.

What makes someone cute?

Konrad Lorenz, an Austrian ethnologist, looked into the science of cuteness in the 1940s. He compiled a list of the esthetic and behavioural characteristics we are particularly attracted to, and found that we are drawn to relatively large heads, large and low-lying eyes, bulging cheeks, short and thick arms and legs, springy elastic skin, and clumsy movements.

Typically, these are the attributes of a child. Juveniles are not simply miniature adults; they have distinctive body proportions. A newborn has a large head in relation to the rest of its body, stubbier arms and legs and tiny hands and feet. As a baby grows up, the relative head size diminishes, the jaw gets bigger and the limbs become longer and leaner. A baby's esthetic proportions are instantly recognisable, and we are hardwired to regard them as 'cute'.

Lorenz noted that childish characteristics trigger a parental instinct. Cute things make us feel warm and exhilarated and we want to look after them. They awaken affection and feelings of nurture, making us want to pet and coo.