Babies' cuteness: An evolutionary mechanism to ensure survival

Why are babies cute? A group of researchers at the University of Oxford have found the answer to this question. According to them, the appealing sight and smell of babies is a protective mechanism that ensures their survival at a time when they are completely dependent. Their cuteness attracts our senses and shapes our behavior i.e. we feel more inclined towards care-giving. Moreover, for the care givers, these altered brain responses ignite “fundamental brain pleasure systems that are also engaged when eating food or listening to music, and always involve pleasant experiences.” It was observed that cuteness affected people across gender and parental status.

Read more in Science Daily.