We cannot deny that babies make us feel tender. But the cubs of other creatures seem charming to us … Is there some kind of trigger that makes you want to hug and “squeeze” the kids? Yes, there is, and it is called the “children’s scheme.”
Note that, according to studies, macaques pay little attention to their children. It is very likely that tenderness for the little ones is a purely human trait.
Unlike other species, a newborn human child is completely dependent on his parents, without them he cannot survive. Because of this, we have adapted in such a way that some of the features of children seem attractive and absolutely charming to us.
This is necessary in order to strengthen the interaction of an adult with an infant, the desire to take care of him and protect him. Which, in turn, increases the likelihood of survival of the offspring and contributes to the continuation of our kind.
But what exactly seems to us touching?
Knowing about the “baby schema”, the scientists conducted a series of tests to see what makes us happy. It turned out that this is a large – in relation to the body – round head, large eyes located above the middle of the face, plump cheeks, a large forehead, a rounded and soft to the touch body. And there is no doubt that most species are born with large eyes, nearly full-sized brains, soft skin, large cheeks, and round bodies.
In fact, when studying photographs of children, it turned out that the more they fit the “childish scheme” (regardless of whether it was a human child or a kitten or a puppy), the more cute they seemed to the test participants. The more they felt a strong need to take care of these little ones.
Even if the car in the picture was brought into line with the “childish scheme” – for example, making the headlights look like expressive big eyes – the response of the participants was more positive.
Turns out it’s all about our perception
When we see a creature with proportions that fit the “baby scheme”, the mesocorticolimbic system of our brain is activated. As a result, there is a feeling of pleasure and desire to take care of someone. The need to hug and cuddle someone.