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| Hannah is the definition of cute. | |||
| {{Redirect|Cutie|the ] Priest|Alberto Cutié}} | |||
| {{Redirect|Cute}} | |||
| ] and ]) as a function of age.]] | |||
| '''Cuteness''' is a type of ] commonly associated with ] and ], as well as a scientific concept and analytical model in ], first introduced by ]. | |||
| == Overview == | |||
| Cuteness is usually characterized by (though not limited to) some combination of infant-like physical traits, especially small body size with a disproportionately large head, large eyes, a pleasantly fair, though not necessarily small nose, ]s, and round and softer body features. Infantile personality traits, such as playfulness, fragility, helplessness, curiosity, innocence, affectionate behavior, and a need to be nurtured are also generally considered cute. | |||
| Konrad Lorenz argued in 1949 that infantile features triggered nurturing responses in ]s and that this was an ]ary adaptation which helped ensure that adults cared for their children, ultimately securing the survival of the ]. As evidence, Lorenz noted that humans react more positively to animals that resemble infants—with big eyes, big heads, shortened noses, etc.—than to animals that do not. | |||
| That is, humans prefer animals which exhibit ]. Pedomorphosis is the retention of child-like characteristics—such as big heads or large eyes—into adulthood. The widely perceived cuteness of domesticated animals, such as ]s and ]s, may be due to the fact that humans selectively breed their ]s for infant-like characteristics, including non-aggressive behavior and child-like appearance. | |||
| Some later scientific studies have provided further evidence for Lorenz's theory. For example, it has been shown that human adults react positively to infants who are ] cute. Studies have also shown that responses to cuteness—and to facial attractiveness in general—seem to be similar across and within cultures.<ref>http://www.winchester.ac.uk/view.ashx?Item=15993</ref> | |||
| Additionally, the phenomenon is not restricted to humans. The young of many ] and ] species share a similar set of typical physical proportions, beyond absolute body size, that distinguish them from adults of their own species. "Cute" features were also described in the recent finding of a baby '']'' ], suggesting that cuteness is an ancient and useful survival technique.<ref></ref> | |||
| == Cultural significance == | |||
| ], a young ] at the ], has been described in news media as cute.<ref> - see 2nd picture</ref>]] | |||
| Cuteness is a major ] tool in many ]s, such as that of ], with ] such as ] or ]. It is also an important selling point in the English-speaking world, where ], ], ], and many other cultural icons and products trade on their cuteness. It can be a factor in live action productions such as movies starring ], the '']'' ], the '']'' duology, and elements of '']'', as well the successful ] '']'', where the noteworthy cuteness of the ]s was cited as a major reason for the film's outstanding appeal.{{Citation needed|date=June 2007}} This technique was emulated in the ] film '']''. | |||
| ] remarked on this phenomenon in an article for the journal ''Natural History'', in which he pointed out that over time ] had been drawn more and more to resemble an infant—with a bigger ], bigger ]s, and so forth. Gould suggested that this change in Mickey's image was intended to increase his popularity by making him appear cuter. | |||
| == See also == | |||
| * ] | |||
| * ] | |||
| == References == | |||
| {{Reflist}} | |||
| == Further reading == | |||
| *Stephen Jay Gould. ''A Biological Homage to Mickey Mouse'', in ''The Panda's Thumb: More Reflections in Natural History''. W.W. Norton & Company, 1980. () | |||
| *Konrad Lorenz. ''Part and Parcel in Animal and Human Societies'', in ''Studies in animal and human behavior'', vol. 2. pp. 115–195. Cambridge, Mass.: Harvard UP, 1971 (originally pub. 1950). | |||
| *]. ''''. The New York Times, 2006-01-03. | |||
| *]. ''The Science of Cuteness/Cutie Contest'', ] Headline News, 2006-12-17. | |||
| *Ilya Garger. ''''. ], Mar/Apr 2007. | |||
| *{{cite web|url=http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2006/04/02/LVGG8HV28A1.DTL|title=Animal Rites -- Canine culture goes over the top|last=Richmond|first=Antonia|date=April 2, 2006|publisher=]|accessdate=2008-08-29}} | |||
| == External links == | |||
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Revision as of 15:02, 7 September 2010
Hannah is the definition of cute.