Popular Mechanics: Cute aggression could have evolutionary benefits
UC professor explores why emotions don’t seem to match true feelings
The desire to squeeze a puppy or pinch a baby’s cheeks might have an evolutionary basis that makes people better caretakers and contributes to our survival, Popular Mechanics reported.
Oriana Aragon, assistant professor of marketing
Oriana Aragon, PhD, a social psychologist and assistant professor of marketing in the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business, first identified the phenomenon of cute aggression a decade ago.
While individuals may feel a strong urge to squeeze something cute, there’s no desire for harm. Rather, it’s a mismatch of expressions.
“[D]imorphous expressions are when your emotions do not match what we would normally expect you to be feeling based upon your emotional expression,” Aragon said. “So, if you were to see people crying tears of joy, when removed from context, people think that the person is sad. In context, for instance, when receiving an award or seeing a loved one for the first time in a long time, those tears are easily interpreted as representing a positive emotion.”
Researchers have suggested the feelings of cute aggression could be a release valve for emotions when seeing something cute or act as a reminder to treat fragile babies with care.
“Physical characteristics such as physical roundness, large wide-set eyes, round cheeks, small chins, and even being a miniature version of something create ‘cuteness,’” Aragon said. “These features can make human babies and baby animals seem cute, and even products such as cars can seem cute when they have these features.”
Featured image at top: Father holding his baby boy. Photo/Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
Impact Lives Here
The University of Cincinnati is leading public urban universities into a new era of innovation and impact. Our faculty, staff and students are saving lives, changing outcomes and bending the future in our city's direction. Next Lives Here.
Related Stories
Prestigious green and gold accolades highlight UC Earth Day 2021
April 19, 2021
There’s no making light of the ‘Gold’ accolade recently earned by the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business’ new home on campus.
UC’s summer semester offers students short sessions, flexibility
April 12, 2021
Coming into the summertime of 2020, Sumedha Kappagantula was considering ways to make the most her opportunities during what is usually a break from the academic rigor of her traditional school year. As a Biomedical Engineering major in the UC’s College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Kappagantula is minoring in Chemistry and Biological Sciences, taking classes through the College of Arts and Sciences. She thought summer semester would be a great time to get ahead in her coursework, and move her degree forward.
2021 University Recognition Ceremony honors student achievements
April 13, 2021
The University of Cincinnati recognizes students each year who have made significant service, leadership, and academic contributions to the UC community. These students exemplify the spirit of what it means to be a Bearcat.
UC Day of Giving a success
April 28, 2021
University of Cincinnati Day of Giving’s 24-hour challenge was a tremendous success this year, raising $2,219,197 with 3,232 gifts. The fourth annual UC Day of Giving raised its most money to date with alumni, donors, students, faculty and staff joining together to support UC and UC Health.
'To make him proud was high on her list'
April 1, 2021
Alex Lewis lost her 82-year-old grandfather to Covid-19 just five weeks before her dream school showed up on the front steps of Roger Bacon High School to tell the senior that she has been admitted to the University of Cincinnati College of Nursing as part of a touching Decision Day surprise effort this year.
President picks exceptional talent
April 28, 2021
The University of Cincinnati 2021 Presidential Leadership Medal of Excellence Awards honor six undergraduate scholars for scholarship, leadership, character, service and the ideals of the university. Awardees are spotlighted for exceptional academics, creativity, community service and innovation.
Arts & Sciences graduate tapped as Mr. Bearcat 2021
June 8, 2021
Chase Morris, a College of Arts and Sciences graduate, is UC's 2021 Mr. Bearcat.
U.S. News top grad school rankings include several UC programs
March 30, 2021
Several graduate school programs at UC improve in latest U.S. News and World Report rankings, including from nursing, medicine, engineering, criminal justice, law and business.
Protect Company Assets by Mitigating Cyber Risks
April 8, 2021
Cyber threats and insurance have become a ubiquitous business issue. Insurance is intended as a vehicle to transfer catastrophic risk to carriers contractually in consideration for premium dollars. There is no coverage area where the risks evolve more rapidly than cyber, and so the insurance must evolve with it.
Tactical Treasury: Fraud prevention is a never-ending task
April 8, 2021
With Nacha rule changes coming in 2021, along with new treasury solutions that are advancing and adapting to a world with more ACH transactions, it’s important to understand how to follow them and mitigate fraud.