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Science

Does This Photo Make You Feel Aggressive? A Study Suggests It Might

Jan. 24, 2013 2:47pm Liz Klimas

How do you feel when you see this?

Researchers Find People Exhibit Aggression When They See Cute Images

(Photo: Shutterstock.com)

How about this?

(Photo: Shutterstock.com)

Are your hands balled into fists? Are you making a tense face, possibly biting your tongue because they’re just so dang cute you’re thinking you might want to eat them?

If so, you might have “cute aggression.”

New research presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology’s annual meeting studied the odd feelings some people seem to have when they see cute images, be it animals, babies, etc.

“We think it’s about high positive-affect, an approach orientation and almost a sense of lost control,” study researcher Rebecca Dyer, a graduate student in psychology at Yale University, said according to Live Science. “You know, you can’t stand it, you can’t handle it, that kind of thing.”

(Photo: Shutterstock.com)

Live Science reported that study participants were told they were going to be monitored for motor activity and memory. They were given bubble wrap to pop — if they wanted – while they watched slideshows. What the researchers found was people watching a slideshow of cute images popped an average of 120 bubbles, funny images only resulted in 80 bubbles popped and neutral images 100 bubbles.

Here’s some of the analysis of these findings from Live Science:

Dyer said she and her colleagues aren’t yet sure why cuteness seems to trigger expressions of aggression, even relatively harmless ones. It’s possible that seeing a wide-eyed baby or roly-poly pup triggers our drive to care for that creature, Dyer said. But since the animal is just a picture, and since even in real life we might not be able to care for the creature as much as we want, this urge may be frustrated, she said. That frustration could lead to aggression.

[...]

Or the reason might not be specific to cuteness, Dyer said. Many overwhelmingly positive emotions look negative, as when Miss America sobs while receiving her crown. Such high levels of positive emotion may overwhelm people.

“It might be that how we deal with high positive-emotion is to sort of give it a negative pitch somehow, Dyer said. “That sort of regulates, keeps us level and releases that energy.”

(Photo: Shutterstock.com)

If you’re not already about to go all Lennie from “Of Mice and Men” from seeing these cute photos, check out this amazingly cute video on TheBlaze Blog of a gerbil that somehow is able to stuff a huge gerbil breadstick nearly twice its size into its mouth.

Featured image via Shutterstock.com.

(H/T: Huffington Post)

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Comments (103)

truthnstuff
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:50pm
The real mentally disturbed, Psychiatrists, Psychologists, Sociologists, the self proclaimed masterminds are the ones helping destroy society. Creating mindless morons out of thinking people.

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- Cesium
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 4:17pm
  For the rather dense and short sighted Blaze commentator scoffing at this concept like Truthnstuff, consider the phrase “so cute I want to eat you up!” This is the feeling they are talking about. I think it helps define something inexplicable and could open new doors to research involleying say brain activity using fMRI. I know, many blaze readers are unable to think out side the box and realize how this type of research can open doors to understanding neurofunction. I admittedly see my dog or cat upon arriving home and have to wrestle them and administer a number of love taps that I have to hold back on to avoid actually hurting them. but why do I do this? I know I am not the only dog owner to get physical with their dog out of their cuteness,, Please tell me I’m the only one to see my dog grit my teeth and smack her belly while holding back from actually going beyond play…
  
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- Gold Coin & Economic News
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 4:33pm
  These pictures don’t make me aggressive. What makes me aggressive is Senator FrankenFeinstien wanting to ban guns and then having liberals say, “no one wants to take your guns.” Now that, that makes me CRAZY!
  http://www.isthatbaloney.com/senator-dianne-feinstein-opens-gun-ban-press-conference-with-prayer/
  
  Report this comment
- sligresda
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 4:46pm
  Ces. i agree. sometimes when i pick up my lil wiener dog cuz shes acting cute i have to refrain from hugging her too tight lest i crack one of her ribs.
  
  Report this comment
- woodyee
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 7:15pm
  Who the “F” thinks like that, Cesium? So cute I wanna eat you…nuts.
  
  Report this comment
- bonesiii
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 7:19pm
  What the bleep? Popping BUBBLE WRAP is aggressive?
  
  Okay, I’m all for science but this is not science… Oy.
  
  Maybe it made them feel happier, and they enjoy popping bubble wrap (like everybody except Adrian Monk does), so they popped more? Maybe the more aggressive thing to do is to NOT pop it lol.
  
  How about neurologic scans or something? Something real?
  
  This conclusion might be possible, but this is not a logical means to test for it…
  
  Report this comment
- Wolf
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 7:31pm
  These are just cute pictures- nothing to get excited over.
  What makes me ball my fist, clench my (few remaining) teeth, and reach for my guns is every time I see a politician’s face or hear Oturd speak and my blood pressure rises thirty points, heartbeat quickens and sweat rolls down my face.
  
  Report this comment
- KeystoneState
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 7:35pm
  Not sure what you mention there Bud, but I once saw a YouTube video of a cow eating a baby duck, Pretty Unsettling.
  
  Report this comment
- bullcrapbuster
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 7:54pm
  @CESIUM…..maybe it’s better to stay inside the box if you are insane.
  
  Report this comment
- Melika
  Posted on January 25, 2013 at 6:43am
  I think the phrase is “So cute I could just eat you alive.” which is even creepier.
  
  Report this comment
- castious
  Posted on January 25, 2013 at 8:52am
  AH the pics are a big YAWN .
  
  Report this comment
- cosmic dogma
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 1:04am
  To CESIUM, has it ever occurred to you that not everything needs to be known about cognitive functions in humans. I sometimes fear the vast amount of knowledge about how our brains function greatly overpowers the emotional intelligence and societal maturity needed to properly use the gathered information. Some things are better left unknown, so as to disallow those with somewhat nefarious purposes from benefitting, in a mad scientists meets mad control agency, sort of way. As far as the rest of your statement- wow- you would be interesting to study…
  
  Report this comment
- Cesium
  Posted on January 26, 2013 at 5:51pm
  @cosmic… Didn’t know there were still people alive from the dark ages.
  
  Report this comment
- comstox
  Posted on January 27, 2013 at 8:57am
  Maybe we could use this technology to determine RINO candidates and dismiss them before they get elected? just saying…
  
  Report this comment
huey6367
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:49pm
Oh sure. These pics make me so agressive I punched a liberal in the forehead. I am not sure if it is because of the pics, though.

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- Elena2010
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 4:52pm
  LOL — go for the nose though. It will hurt longer…and perhaps jog his memory to mind his own business.
  
  Report this comment
RaydocX
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:44pm
having exhausted the abuse of ADHD diagnosis in kids and adults, the psychiatric community desperately searches for its new diagnosis du jour…

this sounds distressingly like jumbo shrimp… and the fact that MILLIONS of tax dollars will be spent chasing it down is depressing… that the ‘scientific findings’ will then be subjected to spin and statistical analysis to justify it as real and to foist some ‘cure’ onto the public should be criminal.

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denkat56
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:44pm
Only time my aggressive behavior comes out is when any body from MSNBC or the Obama admin are talking.

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- HMNSC
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:51pm
  Correct, the only thing that made me “ball my fists and get angry” was that they are bothering reading anything into these images.
  
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Exidor
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:32pm
No. Watching Michelle Obammy chew her food and roll her eyes makes me want to punch a Care Bear.

.

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- The_Jerk
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:37pm
  Silenced.
  
  Report this comment
- Bluebonnet
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 4:14pm
  I wanted to knock her elbow off the table and the fork out of her hand…………..guess I’m aggressive.
  
  However, those adorable pictures made me smile ear to ear. Yes, I loved them…….
  Why are they spending money on idiocy like proving aggressive behavior with those adorable pictures?
  There are mean people who love hurting everything, go after those kinds. They say anyone who can hurt a pet is capable of any evil thing.
  
  Report this comment
circleDwagons
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:26pm
Great job Blaze, Thanks for the warning. Please inform biden.

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SpankDaMonkey
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:25pm
.
Baby I’m sorry, I got you some ice, here let me help you up. Thanks Blaze, those pics had the same effect as eating a Shria-Compliant burger from McDonalds………..

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tonypro
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:24pm
What a bunch of poop.
What I want to know is who is paying for these crapola studies?

Good will become evil, and evil will become good.

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- BlackCrow
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:48pm
  No kidding!!! The only redeeming thing on TV is Animal Planet’s Too Cute. If it wasn’t for puppies and kittens I would have taken out my aggressions on that device some time back.
  
  Report this comment
- Stelex
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 7:37pm
  This just in…….Experts conclude, breathing oxygen is a mental disorder and automatically bar you from owning a weapon. In a related study, eating is a mental disorder which automatically bars you from owning a weapon…..back to you Leah. Thanks Josh, this just in ……. water induces psychosis which automatically bars you from owning a weapon……stay tuned for more.
  
  Report this comment
Ben__Franklin
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:19pm
I did not get to see the rest of them, I had already punched the screen out of my monitor before I got past the puppy. I beat the girlfriend senseless to take over her computer and type this. She is still trying to call 911 on me. I will be back, gotta take care of something…….

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- oldguy49
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:25pm
  hw much did we pay for this study ????????
  
  Report this comment
RightUnite
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:18pm
Someone had too much time and money on our hands, and I’m sure it’s OUR money.

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- booger71
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 4:07pm
  These kind of taxpayer funded studies are the heart of the university system. Giving jobs to unuseful idiots.
  
  Report this comment
Polarized America
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:17pm
.
…it makes me wanna hurt the people who do studies like this …;-(

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- Bamagal0007
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:19pm
  That is too funny! : )
  
  Report this comment
- Magyar
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:24pm
  OMG—too damn funny! I agree!
  
  Report this comment
- Silvertruth
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:27pm
  … or at least ask them, “Hey, did you ask people if they were BORED by images like that?” I know if I was bored I’d have fun popping the bubble wrap! Heck, I’d do it for the fun of the bubble wrap…
  
  I’m not as fast as EVE in WALL•E though… she’s quick.
  
  Report this comment
- Hammerdown
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:47pm
  These people should get more money granted to them because of their outstanding conclusions. Just think how much more money we can waste! I’m sure the government had something to do with this.
  
  Report this comment
Cavallo
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:14pm
We must ban these type of photos for the good of society. The citizens must be banned from viewing more than 7 such photos in an hour. We cannot afford another mass murder, and the aggression this causes cannot be handled by the weak willed American subject. [sarc]

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- circleDwagons
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:31pm
  Now we know what triggered the CT shooter. We need an all out ban
  
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sallyredneck
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:11pm
Just a wasteful study that the taxpayer’s sponsored. Let’s do a study on why the gov. pays for stupid not needed studies.

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- spirited
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:22pm
  Naturally (punn intended) they paid no notice smiles to the faces of the observers, or the squeels of delight.
  
  ~>Sick!
  …lots of sickne$$ being promoted.
  
  Report this comment
- naughtycal
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:30pm
  No studies needed they give tax dollars to these studies to support their indoctrinators who can’t find real jobs.
  
  Report this comment
reality based lifeform
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:10pm
Quite possibly the stupidest thing I have ever viewed on the Blaze I guess thats what I am most angry about (wasting my time)

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- spirited
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:24pm
  On the other hand
  
  8^>If The Blaze didn’t have this kind of stuff, who’d know about it? –really.
  
  Report this comment
MisterSarcastic
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:05pm
So if you have this problem you’ll be considered unstable and they will take your guns?

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ScottyAG
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:02pm
If you feel aggressive after seeing these photos, you should be on the list of possible mentally unbalanced US citizens that could cause the next Sandy Hook. Beware of people who get upset over pictures like this and report them to authorities immediately.

Seriously, if this get you going, seek professional help now.

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Stelex
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:01pm
Psychology is a psuedo science IMHO

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- 3monkeysmomma
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:05pm
  I agree. Everything other than behavior modification is basically voodoo.
  
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sligresda
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 2:58pm
So cute it makes me want to smoosh them with hugs until their guts pop out.

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- Just_Us2
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:14pm
  OMG…that is so funny!!!!
  
  Report this comment
- Zipit
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:18pm
  NO GUNS FOR YOU!!! Hahaha
  
  Report this comment
- Jarhead 88
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:21pm
  LOL, thanks.
  
  Report this comment
- chips1
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:58pm
  It made me go off my diet!!1
  
  Report this comment
TX_45_ACP
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 2:58pm
All was good until I saw the kitten. The aftermath that ensued is apocalyptic.

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R4M0N
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 2:57pm
It’s so cute I want to punch kittens.

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brntout
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 2:55pm
Counting “pops” from bubble wrap? At hundreds? Hmmm, strange, I found myself thinking their innocence needs to allow our protective devices to contain as many or more pops equal to or greater than . Show me political folks and bubble wrap pops will be off the chart.

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- WarMunger_Al
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:03pm
  how do they equate popping bubble wrap with aggression? Most people pop bubble wrap because it is entertaining, not violent.
  
  Report this comment
momrules
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 2:55pm
Well the pictures didn’t make me upset or aggressive but the study and the conclusion they came up with made me want to slap some sense into those nutty people that did the study.

I

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- spirited
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:25pm
  Yes.
  
  ;^>They need to be bubble-wrapped ….and popped.
  
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media-bias-steals-elections
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 2:53pm
Gee, they try the photos of Hillary Clinton at the Congressional hearing, do a survey, and publish the results? Of course to finance that, you just write a letter to David Letterman? Here are the top ten reasons you might be aggressive, then show the following 10 photos of Hillary Clinton?

Well, why animals? Why animals that are not edible? It would be fun asking these testers how they come up with these things, then offer alternatives, to gauge their reactions? Who is in the zoo cage now?

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woodyee
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 2:52pm
The ONLY folks that have a mental problem are the folks that thought these photos could cause a mental problem.

Any questions?

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- Supah_Patriot
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:00pm
  Woodyee is a text book demonstration of the far right’s lack of curiosity and creativity.
  
  Report this comment
- Zipit
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:21pm
  Time for your diaper change WANG!
  
  Report this comment
- Supah_Patriot
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:28pm
  That’s what I’m trying to tell him, Zippy!
  
  Report this comment
- RJJinGadsden
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 3:30pm
  ZIPIT, That’s not WANGO. He seems to be a new and young idiot and frankly, you’ve just insulted WANGO. And, that is something that is difficult to do. He seems more like TROLLMONGER, but even dumber.
  
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- Zipit
  Posted on January 24, 2013 at 6:01pm
  I don’t know RJJ! I think it is, but we’ll see! He tries, but he just can’t keep from giving himself away! Ain’t that right HORDEDANCER, Pantloadian, WANGO, YOURSENSEI, what am I missing?
  
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Small World
Posted on January 24, 2013 at 2:51pm
No! Warn and fuzzy.

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