This study examined whether Lorenz’ (1943) baby schema theory, which suggests that specific ‘cute’ facial features in infants evoke caregiving behavior in adults, also applies to children aged 3 to...Show moreThis study examined whether Lorenz’ (1943) baby schema theory, which suggests that specific ‘cute’ facial features in infants evoke caregiving behavior in adults, also applies to children aged 3 to 7. Responses of 81 non-mothers from the RADAR Young cohort study, aged 22 to 25, were examined. Participants completed two tasks to assess responses to photos of child faces with varying baby schema levels. Behavioral data were analyzed through ‘liking’ (cuteness ratings) and ‘wanting’ (watch time) tasks, while EEG captured neural responses across four key ERP components (P1, N170, P2 and LPP). Cuteness ratings, watch times and ERP amplitudes were compared between three baby schema levels using repeated measures ANOVAs. The results indicated that children with stronger baby schema traits were rated as cuter and motivated adults to spend more time viewing their photos, supporting the hypothesis that more baby schema traits are linked to increased liking and wanting behaviors in adults. While behavioral data confirmed these effects, EEG results showed no significant differences in most neural face processing components (P1, N170, LPP) across the baby schema levels. Higher baby schema faces were however, in comparison to low baby schema faces, linked to stronger neural activation in the P2, which is mainly associated with face typicality and emotional relevance. These findings suggest that baby schema characteristics in young children can still evoke specific caregiving responses, even beyond infancy, and highlight the possible emotional impact of these features on adult perception and behavior.Show less
Background: Excessive sedentary behavior (SB) is linked with increased risk for a variety of negative health consequences, and, thus, it is vital to focus on decreasing unhealthy sedentarism....Show moreBackground: Excessive sedentary behavior (SB) is linked with increased risk for a variety of negative health consequences, and, thus, it is vital to focus on decreasing unhealthy sedentarism. Previous studies attempted to use motivational constructs to explain the attractiveness of SB and to find a way to reduce it. However, no research has explicitly investigated whether people evaluate SB as more rewarding compared to its behavioral alternative, standing. Objective/Method: Participants (N = 129) were given a smartphone game and were asked to play it for 10 minutes while maintaining a specific body posture, i.e., either standing or sitting. Subsequently, participants filled in the questionnaire that assessed the rewarding value of a smartphone game (liking and wanting), intentions to minimize SB, the perceived physical effort of standing, and general background information. The present study sought to explore whether engaging in a certain activity, such as playing a smartphone game, while being sedentary would be more rewarding for participants (higher liking and wanting) compared to doing the same activity while standing. Additionally, a plausible influence of two moderators, i.e., intentions to minimize SB and the perceived physical effort of standing, on the effect of body posture (sitting vs. standing) on liking/wanting an activity was investigated. Results: Participants reported higher liking for the game in the sit condition in comparison with participants in the stand condition, a small to medium effect size, p = .009. Moreover, participants in the sit condition indicated higher wanting for the game compared to participants in the stand condition, a small to medium effect size, p = .043. Intentions to minimize SB and the perceived physical effort of standing did not significantly moderate the relationship between body posture and liking/wanting to play the game. Conclusion: Participants liked and wanted the game more in the sit condition, meaning that engaging in an activity while being sedentary appears to be more rewarding than while standing. Thus, to decrease SB, it is crucial to increase the rewarding value of standing (or other physical activity) by making it more pleasurable and enjoyable. Additionally, it seems that intentions to minimize SB do not have an effect on the attractiveness of SB. Hence, intervention designers, clinicians, and researchers whose aim is to reduce SB are advised to consider strategies that serve as bridges between intentions and actual behavior rather than focusing exclusively on intentions.Show less
Eye contact is crucial for interpersonal communication and bonding between humans. In adults, eye contact can improve feelings of connectedness to and liking for another person, as well as mood....Show moreEye contact is crucial for interpersonal communication and bonding between humans. In adults, eye contact can improve feelings of connectedness to and liking for another person, as well as mood. The present study examined whether eye contact could improve connectedness to and liking for other people in adolescents. Additionally, the influence of perceived levels of closeness (to parents, unknown adults and unknown adolescents) and inter-individual variation in autism spectrum symptoms was assessed. Participants (n = 61; 26.1% female) watched videos of themselves, an unknown adolescent, a parent, or an unknown adult of similar age as their parent either holding eye contact or averting their gaze. After each video, participants reported on their subjective feelings of connectedness to and liking for the person in the video, and their mood. Eye contact significantly improved all three aspects: connectedness, liking and mood. Participants felt most connected to their parents, liked them more and were in a better mood after looking at them, compared to unknown adolescents or adults. There was no evidence for the moderation of subclinical autism spectrum traits on the relationship between eye contact, connectedness, liking and mood. These findings highlight the importance of eye contact for connectedness to and liking for another person, as well as mood. They, therefore, have implications for interpersonal relationships and mental health. The present study points to a therapeutic potential of interventions enhancing eye contact: increased eye contact may contribute to an improved parent-child relationship, which is associated with better mental health.Show less
