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Why are people obsessed with how cute cats are?

Why are people obsessed with how cute cats are?

FromOxford Sparks Big Questions


Why are people obsessed with how cute cats are?

FromOxford Sparks Big Questions

ratings:
Length:
15 minutes
Released:
Mar 13, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Description

Cats are pretty adorable! Those big eyes, fluffy paws and cheeky personalities mean that most people find felines cute. But what is the science behind this reaction? Neuroscientist Professor Morten Kringelbach reveals how special technology can track what happens to signals in the brain in response to sounds and images of babies and small animals. In just a thousandth of a second, our brain decides that something is cute. This almost instantaneous cuteness reaction is thought to be a deep-rooted evolutionary feature of humans, encouraging us to look after young babies and animals to help species to survive. Cats (and other fluffy pets) can bring us so much joy, so next time you find yourself smiling at a cat video or your beloved pet, make sure to spread the love and bring someone else a dose of happiness.
Released:
Mar 13, 2024
Format:
Podcast episode

Titles in the series (100)

'Will my bacon sandwich kill me?', 'Is vaping better than smoking?', 'How do you become an astronaut?' - just some of the Big Questions we ask some of the brightest minds behind Oxford science. Join us in each podcast as we explore a different area of science.