Preference for cute infants does not depend on their ethnicity or species: evidence from hypothetical adoption and donation paradigms.

ABSTRACT: Results of previous work suggest a preference of adult observers for cute compared to less cute infants. In Study 1 we investigated whether the preference for cute infants depends on the ethnicity and species of the infant. We simultaneously presented two faces (one cute and one less cute) and asked Caucasian participants to choose the infant to whom they would rather give a toy (Task 1) and which infant they would rather adopt (Task 2). The infants were Caucasian or African human babies or dog puppies. For all face categories and in both tasks we found a strong preference for cute infants. A possible reason for preferring cute infants may be that cute infants look healthier than less cute infants. To investigate whether cuteness is associated with the assessment of health we conducted Stu

SUBMITTER: Golle J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4386811 | biostudies-literature | 2015

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature