Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 5, 2025

Exploring Infant Sensitivity to Visual Language using Eye Tracking and the Preferential Looking Paradigm
Published on: May 15, 2019
Eye Size Affects Cuteness in Different Facial Expressions and Ages
Lichang Yao1, Qi Dai1, Qiong Wu2
1Cognitive Neuroscience Laboratory, Graduate School of Interdisciplinary Science and Engineering in Health Systems, Okayama University, Okayama, Japan.
Abstract:
Researchers have suggested that infants exhibiting baby schema are considered cute. These similar studies have mainly focused on changes in overall baby schema facial features. However, whether a change in only eye size affects the perception of cuteness across different facial expressions and ages has not been explicitly evaluated until now. In the present study, a paired comparison method and 7-point scale were used to investigate the effects of eye size on perceived cuteness across facial expressions (positive, neutral, and negative) and ages (adults and infants). The results show that stimuli with large eyes were perceived to be cuter than both unmanipulated eyes and small eyes across all facial expressions and age groups. This suggests not only that the effect of baby schema on cuteness is based on changes in a set of features but also that eye size as an individual feature can affect the perception of cuteness.
Related Concept Videos
Facial Feedback Hypothesis
Accessory Structures of the Eye
Muscles for Facial Expressions
Relationship Formation
Emotional Expression
Universal Facial Expressions
Psychologist Paul Ekman identified seven basic...

