Humans are hard-wired to lose control, even to the point of aggression, when we see cuteness playing out, according to a new study conducted by a graduate student at Yale University.
"A deep urge surges up to do something" about a cute animal or object, "be it cuddle it, squeeze it, pinch it, or 'like,'" Rebecca Dyer, who led the study, told Australia's News.com.au.
"We're tuned to have a strong positive response," the article added, "So strong, in fact that it overrides our inhibitions."
Dyer said she was surprised by this "cute aggression" phenomenon, because you might think cute pictures would inspire tenderness or gentleness. One possible explanation, she said, is that we become frustrated "at not being able to cuddle" the cute animal or baby in the photo. Or, it could simply be that "a strong emotional response overwhelms our self-control."
So, when you check out these photos of adorable animal friendships, proceed with caution.
Here are some of the cutest highlights:
- Smaigel the cat nursed four puppies as well as her own kittens after the puppies' mother died in a car accident in Amman, Jordan
- A female monkey in Dhaka, Bangladesh "adopted" a puppy and "spends many happy hours hugging it"
- A dog in Shenyang, China, nursed a piglet for over a month after the piglet's mother died
- A monkey snuggles up with a dog at a camp for internally displaced persons in northern Uganda
What do you think? Can cuteness make you lose control?