Abstract
There are a wide variety of objects described as cute. However, the emotions aroused by cuteness have not been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we compared the emotions evoked by various cute objects. The objects were selected with baby schema (BS), without baby schema (NBS), self-selection (SC), and neutral. To assess these objects, subjective ratings (16 items) and four facial movement action units were measured. We also examined the relationship between the evaluator's empathicy traits and affective arousal. "Kawaii" was evaluated significantly higher by all participants, and "tender emotion" and "exciting" were evaluated significantly higher by the people in the SC and BS groups than by those in the neutral group. Corrugator supercilii activity was increased in SC and BS, and Orbicularis oculi and Buccinator activity were increased in SC. Regarding personal characteristics, there was an association between susceptibility and "kawaii", and ease of empathy and "heartwarming sensation”.
