Whenever we see a baby or children playing around, the first words that usually come out of our mouth looking at their cuteness are “Awww”. Sometimes it is their innocent eyes and sometimes their cute giggle, that tempts us towards them, but did you know that this feeling is actually a neurological process?
Therefore, Oxford scientists have developed a neuroimaging technique, with the help of which we can measure how pleasing someone is to our eyes or simply how cute they are. In research conducted in this regard, scientists believe that with the help of this cuteness rating system, not only the parents will have an improved relationship with their children, but it will also give an opportunity to know and understand other processes of the brain.
What Is Neuroimaging Technique?
According to this research-based on neuroimaging technology, its activities, and the new system, when we see a baby or any other living being or an object that we find adorable, the Orbitofrontal Cortex in our brain, i.e. the part of our brain that controls our emotions gets active. This part of the brain is right behind our eyes and it gets active as soon as a baby, animal, or object fascinates us and triggers happy emotions. In the research, Oxford scientists tried to find out how the Orbitofrontal cortex works, with the help of neuroimaging techniques.
Also Read: Parenting and Mental Health
According to Morten L. Kringelbach, Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow in Neuroscience, University of Oxford, as soon as the Orbitofrontal cortex is activated in our brain, the cuteness of the person, animal, or object present in front of us hacks our brains. This is purely a neurological process. Professor Kringelbach explains that our species have been evolving for a thousand years.
Some baby animals start walking as soon as they are born, whereas it is not the same in the case of human babies. All these processes are based on the speed of our brain functions. This gradual process in our brain gives the brain a chance to improve its structure and capacity. The Orbitofrontal cortex monitors the pace of development of our body as well as affects decision-making ability.
Professor Kringlebach explains that neuroimaging techniques have been developed to learn the capabilities of our brain. With the help of the technique of brain scanning and using magnetic fields, scientists have developed the cuteness measuring system, which maps the movements of the brain every second and gives the cuteness rating.
Furthermore, Professor Kringlebach explains that research regarding the cuteness mapping system revealed that a person's cuteness can help him/her become a better person. Along with this, a child’s cuteness also reduces the behavioral problems that arise between them and their parents. Besides, after the birth of the baby, it also helps the mother to come out of post-delivery depression
