Evolution of baby schema recognition from the comparative-cognitive perspective

Abstract

Konrad Lorenz proposed that “baby schema” —a set of infantile physical features such as bigger eyes, smaller nose and mouth— is perceived as cute and induces caretaking behavior (Lorenz, 1943). Although a large number of human empirical studies have supported this idea, baby schema has been seldom studied in the context of evolution. If baby schema has its adaptive value as originally suggested, it may affect perceivers cognition in various species in similar ways to human. This article aimed to reconsider the evolutionary origins of baby schema recognition from a comparative cognitive perspective by reviewing human studies and recent non-human primate studies.