Maria Arozamena, Illustrations Editor

Moo Deng the pygmy hippo is a polarizing figure when it comes to cuteness. For many, like Marisa Cardinale, a New Haven resident, her round body, expressive eyes and playful antics make her “so so cute.” 

For others, her plump features and unconventional proportions may seem more peculiar than cute.

“It’s the wrong size, and it’s supposed to be really big, but it’s really small,” said Chrysie Alexiou, a postgraduate fellow in the Child Study Center and a production and design staffer at the News. “It looks full grown, but tiny.”

According to experts the News spoke to, Moo Deng’s appeal — or lack thereof — comes down to personal interpretation of “baby schema” traits. Her large eyes, round face and clumsy movements tick many of the boxes that trigger caregiving instincts. However, her unusual size and hippo-specific features — like her wide snout and stubby legs — may deviate from the classic markers of cuteness. 

Cuteness is more than just a preference, it’s a carefully wired response in the brain. Animals like Moo Deng and Pesto the penguin possess traits — large eyes, round cheeks and playful behavior — that trigger emotional responses designed to ensure the survival of vulnerable young. But why do these reactions spill over to non-human animals and even inanimate objects? Yale experts weigh in on the science of why we find some things irresistibly cute.

“There’s these features that when present, will trigger in us that all of a sudden we have knowledge that this is an infant that needs protection,” Oriana Aragón, psychology researcher, said. “You can see these features all or in part, on anything, and it will trigger this same response.”

Baby schema, or Kindchenschema, a concept developed by ethologist Konrad Lorenz, outlines the specific physical features that make something appear cute and elicit caregiving responses, such as large eyes and rounded cheeks. These features, often associated with vulnerability, act as visual signals that compel individuals to nurture and protect.

According to Aragón, these reactions extend beyond human infants. 

“We’re wired to respond to these traits wherever we see them,” Aragón said. “Even a mini stapler or a VW Beetle can trigger the same caregiving instincts as a baby animal.”

While cuteness may start with baby schema, it also activates the brain’s reward system. Neurotransmitters like dopamine and endorphins flood the brain in response to cute stimuli, creating feelings of pleasure. Dr. Rebecca Dyer, assistant professor of psychology at Hamilton College, explained that this response engages the same neural pathways that process other rewarding experiences, such as food or music.

The emotional reactions elicited by cuteness are often instinctive. Dr. John Bargh, professor of psychology, described these responses as automatic processes deeply rooted in evolutionary survival strategies. 

“Human infants are incredibly vulnerable at birth, requiring constant care,” Bargh said. “Our emotional responses to baby-like features ensure that caregiving behaviors are activated without conscious thought.”

However, it’s not simply about looks.

Playful behaviors, like Moo Deng’s happy leg-nibbling or Pesto’s waddling, amplify their appeal by reinforcing associations with innocence and vulnerability. 

“These behaviors map onto our mental knowledge of baby behavior,” Bargh explained. 

While cuteness can make people want to care for and protect, it can also inspire a surprising reaction: cute aggression.

This phenomenon, characterized by wanting to squeeze or pinch something adorable, may seem counterintuitive, but it serves an emotional purpose.

“It helps regulate overwhelming positive emotions,” said Aragón. “When someone feels overwhelmed by cuteness, cute aggression acts as a way to balance those feelings, bringing them back to a calmer emotional state.”

The influence of cuteness, however, is not limited to caregiving. Social media platforms amplify exposure to cute animals like Moo Deng, using algorithms that prioritize attention-grabbing content. 

According to Aragón, this constant exposure has heightened the cultural fascination with cuteness.

“We’re exposed to far more instances of cuteness than ever before,” said Bargh. “And we often actively seek them out in our feeds.”

Ultimately, Moo Deng, Pesto and even Handsome Dan highlight the fascinating blend of biology, psychology and culture that shapes our response to cuteness. Whether it’s the wide eyes and clumsy antics of a pygmy hippo or the droopy charm of Yale’s beloved mascot, these traits tap into deeply ingrained instincts, sparking joy, compassion and sometimes even a little aggression. Cuteness serves as a universal force, creating connections between individuals and the world around them. As Bargh aptly put it, “It’s spontaneous, automatic and completely irresistible.”

The Handsome Dan tradition began with undergraduate Andrew Graves, who had the first Handsome Dan in 1892.