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Animal Behavior: Baby Schema

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[Konrad Lorenz](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konrad_Lorenz) was the one who introduced the concept of Baby Schema (or [Kindchenschema](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuteness)), relating it to a set of characteristics displayed by some animals and by all young in general — small body size, disproportionately large head, large eyes positioned low on the face, wide forehead and prominent cheeks, short and chubby limbs, and uncoordinated movements — which also constitutes a verification of the Heterogeneous Summation Law (stimuli acting cumulatively in the same direction).

These infantile features, universally recognized — even across species — reduce the aggression of others and, additionally, enhance epimelectic behaviors, increasing individual fitness. This may ultimately underlie most humans’ preference for animals that retain these characteristics throughout their lives — such as the Giant Panda and the Koala. This video attests to the power of Kindchenschema in a concrete situation. Many thanks to Sofia for the video =)

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