US scientists study 'gigil'

Who could have thought cuteness would inspire aggression?

 

However, the phenomenon—comparable to "gigil" in the Philippines—does not include an intent to harm, according to a study by two Yale University psychologists.

 

“Some things are so cute that we just can't stand it,” said Rebecca Dyer, who with Oriana Aragon carried out the study, according to Scientific American.

 

The study by the two Yale University psychologists detailed the sudden urge to squeeze or bear-hug a baby or a pet, a phenomenon some dubbed as "cute aggression."

 

In their study, Dyer and Aragon showed study participants slide shows of cute, funny, or normal animal photographs.

 

The participants held bubble wrap and were instructed to pop as many or as few bubbles as they wished.

 

"People watching the cute slide show popped significantly more bubbles than those viewing the funny or control pictures, according to results presented at the Society for Personality and Social Psychology annual meeting in New Orleans," Scientific American said.

 

Yet, Aragon said "cute aggression" does not mean people actually mean harm.

 

"Rather the response could be protective, or it could be the brain's way of tamping down or venting extreme feelings of giddiness and happiness. The scientists are currently conducting additional studies to determine what drives the need to squeeze," Scientific American said. — VC, GMA News