Have you ever seen a picture of a puppy and wanted to give it a tight squeeze? Ever watched a baby coo and wanted to pinch their cheeks? Why is it that when we are overloaded with cuteness we have these violent thoughts?
This phenomenon, known as cute aggression, is when someone experiences the urge to squeeze, pinch, bite, or even punch something that they consider cute.
Some people express their emotions in a dimorphous manner, meaning they have both a positive and a negative reaction to an event. For example, some people scream when they are excited, cry when they are happy, or laugh when they are nervous. Cute aggression is a primary example of a positive dimorphous response to “cute” stimuli. In this case, while being overwhelmed with cuteness, one experiences the urge to squeeze or crush the subject of the overload.
Interestingly, both the emotion and reward systems are involved in processing cuteness. Scientists hypothesize that these centers getting overwhelmed with positive feelings produces these thoughts of aggression. Some speculate that cute aggression is an evolutionary response, adapted from the need to not be immobilized by positive emotions when regarding something adorable.
Current research on this response is limited, however researchers conclude that it is common and nothing to be concerned about, so long as people exercise self-restraint when experiencing these aggressive urges.
Works Cited:
Maharaj, N. (2022, September 7). What is cute aggression, and do I have it? American Kennel Club. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/lifestyle/what-is-cute-aggression/#:~:text=Cute%20aggression%20refers%20to%20an,both%20positive%20and%20negative%20reactions
Hamilton, J. (2018, December 31). When too cute is too much, the brain can get aggressive. NPR. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2018/12/31/679832549/when-too-cute-is-too-m uch-the-brain-can-get-aggressive
Stavropoulos, K. K. M., & Alba, L. A. (2018, November 20). “It’s so Cute I Could Crush It!”: Understanding Neural Mechanisms of Cute Aggression. Frontiers. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00300/full
I definitely have this! Thanks for putting a name to my affliction.