July 2016 PMID 27211583

On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond.

Morten L Kringelbach, Eloise A Stark, Catherine Alexander, Marc H Bornstein, Alan Stein

Mentions

28
Peak: 6 in Nov 2025
across 5 sources since Jul 2016

Extended reach

24,137
potential audience

Total likes

532

Video views

5,235

Mentions per month

Jul 2016 – Nov 2025

Where it's discussed

  • X / Twitter11 posts
  • Facebook8 posts
  • News4 articles
  • Blogs3 articles
  • YouTube2 videos

AI synopsis

What people are saying

The overall discussion indicates a recognition of the significance of cuteness in survival and social bonding, exemplified by references to how infant attractiveness influences caregiving behaviors and potential discrimination. However, some comments, such as those about social debate over the word 'woman', reflect broader social issues and show how the topic triggers diverse reactions beyond the original research, influencing perceptions but with moderate engagement.

AgreementModerate agreement

Most discussions reflect an agreement with the importance of cuteness in survival and social bonding, especially in the context of infants, as seen in comments referencing the role of cuteness for babies' survival.

InterestModerate interest

Participants show a moderate level of interest, with some engaging in curiosity about subjects like the word 'woman' and social consequences, but overall engagement with the core research seems limited.

EngagementModerate engagement

Some discussions delve into the evolutionary and neurological aspects of cuteness, indicating a moderate level of deep engagement, but several comments also focus on unrelated topics or general reactions.

ImpactNeutral impact

While the article sparks some reflection on social and biological themes, many responses appear casual or surface-level, suggesting a limited immediate impact on broader societal discussions.

Abstract in brief

  • Cuteness in infants is an effective survival strategy, triggering instinctual caregiving behaviors due to their appealing physical features, described by the concept of 'Kindchenschema.'
  • The study expands the idea of cuteness to include not just visual aspects but also sounds and smells that elicit strong caregiving responses.
  • Research shows that cuteness activates specific brain areas linked to fast emotional responses and more complex feelings, enhancing parental instincts and social bonding.

Top posts

Most liked on X and Bluesky
Mind Help
@MindStarHelp · X

Cuteness of babies is crucial for their survival. In fact, unattractive babies can be prone to discrimination. Study Link - https://t.co/fPVtsQzQkT ; https://t.co/4nK1vp8EBQ #facts #factcheck #factmatters #psychology #brainscience #mindhelp #mentalhealthsupport https://t.co/U87j9vEoUV

Aug 8, 2022 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 1,607 followers View post →
La Christy - Liberalistico
@CrisSF777 · X

¿Por qué la palabra mujer despierta hoy tanta hostilidad y pasión? ¿Qué tiene de especial esta palabra? Un viaje histórico, psicológico y neurocientífico para comprender la batalla semántica más decisiva del siglo XXI: el significado de MUJER. https://t.co/1Ve66w2h16

Nov 16, 2025 · 3 likes · 1 share · 281 followers View post →
The Minds Journal
@TheMindsJournal · X

RT @mindshelp: Cuteness of babies is crucial for their survival. In fact, unattractive babies can be prone to discrimination. Study Link -…

Aug 9, 2022 · 3 shares · 11,681 followers View post →
EIJI|『進化教育学研究室』
@evopeda_ek · X

参考 Morten L.Kringelbach,Eloise A.Stark,Catherine Alexander,Marc H.Bornstein and Alan Stein(2016). On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond.

Dec 17, 2019 · 2,296 followers View post →
Cal Fact Check
@CalFactCheck · X

RT @mindshelp: Cuteness of babies is crucial for their survival. In fact, unattractive babies can be prone to discrimination. Study Link -…

Aug 9, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,579 followers View post →
Prateek Tiwari ⚡️⛈️
@i_ceraunophile · X

RT @mindshelp: Cuteness of babies is crucial for their survival. In fact, unattractive babies can be prone to discrimination. Study Link -…

Aug 9, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,105 followers View post →

All mentions

Mati
@mfr639 · X

@LaEtxebarria https://t.co/CVwETyr0B9

Nov 16, 2025 · 14 followers View post →
Alvaro Valencia
@AlvaroVale68826 · X

¿Qué es una MUJER? Tu cerebro lo sabe antes de nacer ¿Por qué es tan esp... https://t.co/oXCd6rolKA via @YouTube

Nov 16, 2025 · 1 followers View post →
Mati
@mfr639 · X

RT @CrisSF777: ¿Por qué la palabra mujer despierta hoy tanta hostilidad y pasión? ¿Qué tiene de especial esta palabra? Un viaje histórico,…

Nov 16, 2025 · 1 share · 14 followers View post →
Edison Mera
@ef_mera · X

¿Qué es una MUJER? Tu cerebro lo sabe antes de nacer ¿Por qué es tan esp... https://t.co/agap7pfzLo via @YouTube

Nov 16, 2025 · 27 followers View post →
La Christy - Liberalistico
@CrisSF777 · X

¿Por qué la palabra mujer despierta hoy tanta hostilidad y pasión? ¿Qué tiene de especial esta palabra? Un viaje histórico, psicológico y neurocientífico para comprender la batalla semántica más decisiva del siglo XXI: el significado de MUJER. https://t.co/1Ve66w2h16

Nov 16, 2025 · 3 likes · 1 share · 281 followers View post →
Prateek Tiwari ⚡️⛈️
@i_ceraunophile · X

RT @mindshelp: Cuteness of babies is crucial for their survival. In fact, unattractive babies can be prone to discrimination. Study Link -…

Aug 9, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,105 followers View post →
The Minds Journal
@TheMindsJournal · X

RT @mindshelp: Cuteness of babies is crucial for their survival. In fact, unattractive babies can be prone to discrimination. Study Link -…

Aug 9, 2022 · 3 shares · 11,681 followers View post →
Cal Fact Check
@CalFactCheck · X

RT @mindshelp: Cuteness of babies is crucial for their survival. In fact, unattractive babies can be prone to discrimination. Study Link -…

Aug 9, 2022 · 3 shares · 1,579 followers View post →
Mind Help
@MindStarHelp · X

Cuteness of babies is crucial for their survival. In fact, unattractive babies can be prone to discrimination. Study Link - https://t.co/fPVtsQzQkT ; https://t.co/4nK1vp8EBQ #facts #factcheck #factmatters #psychology #brainscience #mindhelp #mentalhealthsupport https://t.co/U87j9vEoUV

Aug 8, 2022 · 7 likes · 3 shares · 1,607 followers View post →
Sean
@Opelucid_ · X

@AbdoukhadrS @steveaustinBSR If you're interested in understanding how chicken nuggets deceive you and how Tsukasa is perfection: https://t.co/2Y39ydFvKk

Jan 3, 2021 · 119 followers View post →
EIJI|『進化教育学研究室』
@evopeda_ek · X

参考 Morten L.Kringelbach,Eloise A.Stark,Catherine Alexander,Marc H.Bornstein and Alan Stein(2016). On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond.

Dec 17, 2019 · 2,296 followers View post →
Ministerio Madre de la Dulce Espera
Facebook

DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003 · No photo description available. Ximmena CA ·

Dec 13, 2025 View →
Comunidad - La ternura de los bebés es una ventaja evolutiva ...
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... esencial para su supervivencia. DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003. Mery Motola de Chernitzky and 614 others ·

Sep 5, 2023 View →
La ternura de los bebés es una ventaja evolutiva. ¿Qué tiene la vista ...
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DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003 · No photo description available. Bastian André and 1.7K others ·

Nov 22, 2022 View →
Comunidad Biológica - La ternura de los bebés es una ventaja ...
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... bebés es esencial para su supervivencia. DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003.

Nov 22, 2022 View →
La ternura de los bebés es una ventaja evolutiva. ¿Qué tiene la vista ...
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DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003 · Puede ser una imagen en blanco y negro de 1 persona y bebé · Ruby Ruby and 2.1K others ·

May 17, 2022 View →
Comunidad Biológica - La ternura de los bebés es una ventaja ...
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... esencial para su supervivencia. DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003.

May 17, 2022 View →
What is 'Cuteness' and How Can We Sell It? | by Daniel Chen ...
News

545–558., https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003. Salgado, Sanjay, and Michael G. Kaplitt. “The Nucleus Accumbens: A Comprehensive ...

Mar 13, 2022 View →
Comunidad Biológica - La ternura de los bebés es una ventaja ...
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... esencial para su supervivencia. DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003.

Aug 4, 2021 View →
Comunidad Biológica - La ternura de los bebés es una ventaja ...
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DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003.

Jan 25, 2021 View →
嬰兒長得那麼可愛,是跟生存有關? - TNL The News Lens 關鍵評論網
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org/10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003. 本文獲授權轉載,原文見哇賽!心理學. 責任編輯:tnlhk 核稿編輯︰王陽翎. 心理學 · 大人 · 大腦 · 嬰兒 · 實驗 · 專注 ...

Sep 15, 2016 View →
Bacuľaté líčka, nosíky, ktoré vyzerajú ako gombíky, a jemná pokožka ...
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... 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003. Máte pripomienku alebo ste našli chybu? Prosíme, napíšte na pripomienky@dennikn.sk. Čítať neskôr. Zdieľať. Odomknúť ...

Jul 14, 2016 View →
Babies don't just look cute, scientists find | University of Oxford
Blogs

The paper On cuteness: Unlocking the parental brain and beyond is published in Trends in cognitive science (doi:10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003).

Jun 7, 2016 View →
Baby Face: Parental Behaviors Triggered by Cuteness of Babies ...
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Published online May 19 2016 doi:10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003. Feel free to share this Neuroscience News. Join our Newsletter. Thank you for ...

Jun 6, 2016 View →
Babies don't just look cute, scientists find | EurekAlert!
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10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003. Keywords. /Social sciences/Demography/Age groups/Infants; /Life sciences/Organismal biology/Anatomy/Nervous system ...

Jun 6, 2016 View →
Babies don't just look cute, scientists find | ScienceDaily
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Bornstein, Alan Stein. On Cuteness: Unlocking the Parental Brain and Beyond. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 2016; DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2016.05.003 ...

Jun 6, 2016 View →