How cuteness influenced human evolution

and conquered global mass culture

Soldier-themed bisque Kewpies at the Ralph Foster Museum

A presentation at the Cognitive Psychophysiology Laboratory , Osaka University, November 16, 2018

Abstract:

Part 1: Cuteness as a driving force in human evolution

The “domestication syndrome,” a set of behavioral and anatomical changes shared by domesticated animals, includes many cute neotenic attributes in common with Lorenz’s kindenschema. Recent research suggests that Homo sapiensmay be a self-domesticated species, a process that occurred through sexual selection for tame (i.e. non-aggressive) behavior. I propose that cuteness, which encourages pro-social and affiliative behavior towards children, was a significant contributing factor in the evolution of intragroup tolerance and cooperation in modern humans that enabled the spread of H. sapiensaround the world. 

Part 2: The origins of American cute culture

The Oxford English Dictionaryidentifies “cute” as an American slang word that also means “clever or cunning.” Cute icons of the early 20th century, from Mickey Mouse to Shirley Temple, mix clever or cunning attributes together with cuteness, and the combination remains globally popular today. I locate the genesis of this mixture in the 19th century blackface minstrel show. These performances, in which white actors donned makeup and costumes to make fun of African Americans’ appearance and (supposed) behavior, are often called the first uniquely American form of mass entertainment. Today, Americans are often somewhat suspicious of cuteness, and I propose that the legacy of minstrelsy is the cause of this negative image. 

Part 3: Does cuteness have a healing power?

In Japan, kawaii is often said to be healing (iyasu). Could this be true? I hypothesize that because cuteness evolved to promote social engagement and affiliative behavior, exposure to cute stimuli may assist in recovery from certain conditions such as depression, social anxiety and relationship dissatisfaction. If a robust healing effect is found, this may partially explain the tremendous rise of cuteness in 21st century global mass culture. 

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