萌:感知与后效

Cuteness: Perceptions and consequences

萌是对一系列由视觉感知的婴儿外貌或行为特征的概括性描述。本文在厘清萌与可爱关系的基础上,对萌的维度做了进一步区分,即除了幼萌以外,萌还可能包含趣萌、听觉萌、嗅觉萌等其他维度。目前关于人们对萌的感知是否存在个体差异这一问题仍然存在争论,而萌之载体的多样性则已经得到广泛认同。通过对一系列实证研究的回顾,本文认为萌的后果主要体现在认知(如诱发脆弱性、天真等推断)、情感(如积极情绪、同情和柔情)和行为(如注意和关怀)三个方面。未来研究可进一步探讨萌的维度及其与道德的关系问题。

Cuteness is usually defined descriptively as a range of visually perceived physical and behavioral infantile features. Recent research suggested that cuteness might not be limited to visual infant characteristics, but could also be found in funny designs, positive sounds and smells. While the generalization of cuteness has been universally acknowledged, whether there are individual differences in cuteness perceptions is still controversial. In addition, cuteness can evoke a set of cognitive, affective and behavioral consequences. Future research might be mainly conducted on dimensions of cuteness, as well as the relationship between cuteness and morality.