Objects Being Touched Are Perceived as Cuter, Study Finds

A PLOS ONE study tested whether touch affects perceived cuteness of objects and people.

Researchers showed photos of a stuffed toy and a beanbag cushion being touched or not to participants in Japan and the U.S.

Across 397 participants, touched objects were rated as cuter than untouched ones, and people touching objects were also rated as cuter.

The baby-schema effect remained: stuffed toys were rated cuter than cushions regardless of touch.