The Puss in Boots Effect: Study finds women speak in a higher pitched voice to animals with larger EYES
- Scientists have used the name “Puss in Boots” to describe an unusual effect
- Females – but not males – speak at a higher pitch to larger-eyed dogs
With his signature boots and huge eyes, Puss in Boots is arguably one of the cutest characters in animated history.
Now scientists have used the character’s name to describe an unusual effect.
In a new study, researchers at the University of Lincoln asked participants to talk to dogs with different-sized eyes.
They found that women — but not men — spoke in a higher voice when addressing puppies with larger eyes.
The team has dubbed this the “Puss in Boots Effect” and says it shows significant differences in the way men and women perceive “cuteness.”
With his signature boots and huge eyes, Puss in Boots is arguably one of the cutest characters in animated history. Now scientists have used the character’s name to describe an unusual effect
In a new study, researchers at the University of Lincoln asked participants to talk to dogs with different-sized eyes. They found that women — but not men — spoke in a higher voice when addressing puppies with larger eyes (stock image)
Previous studies have shown that when communicating with infants and dogs, we tend to use an exaggerated tone of voice to get their attention.
However, until now it has remained unclear how this language differs in different dogs.
For the study, the team recruited 21 male and 24 female participants who were asked to speak to photos of dogs of 12 different breeds.
The photos had been manipulated so that each dog’s eyes were 15 percent smaller, 15 percent larger, or 30 percent larger than normal.
More than 400 people were also asked in an online poll to rate the gender, age and “cuteness” of the images.
The results showed that women — but not men — spoke in a higher voice when addressing dogs with larger eyes.
Women also rated the dogs with larger eyes as younger than those with smaller eyes.
While the reason for this effect remains unclear, the researchers hypothesize that it may be due to a phenomenon called neoteny, in which animals with larger eyes are perceived as more youthful.
For the study, the team recruited 21 male and 24 female participants who were asked to speak to photos of dogs of 12 different breeds. The photos had been manipulated so that each dog’s eyes were 15 percent smaller, 15 percent larger, or 30 percent larger than normal
dr Holly Root-Gutteridge, co-author of the study, said, “The research shows us a new fact about how men and women respond differently to ‘cuteness’, even on a subconscious level, as men were less responsive to the changes in eye size.” as women.
“It also confirms that we, as humans, are more responsive to the perceived youthfulness of animals.”
However, the researchers found that the Puss in Boots effect has a limit.
Jemma Forman, co-author from the University of Sussex, said: “WWhen the eyes get too big and out of place, an “uncanny valley” effect occurs, making the dogs overall less pleasing and more unsettling to look at.
“Hence, women with a less exaggerated vocal range speak to dogs with large, uncanny eye sizes.”
“This effect is more pronounced in breeds such as the Pug or Pomeranian, i.e. dog breeds that already have relatively large eyes for their head size.”