Finally, a concrete reason for us to spend more time looking at adorable pictures of kittens, puppies, and any adorable baby animals: according to a new study, it actually increases your productivity! (P.S. If you’re not into the science of “why,”† just scroll down for the photos of adorable baby animals.)
The study, “The Power of Kawaii: Viewing Cute Images Promotes a Careful Behavior and Narrows Attentional Focus,” was conducted at Japan’s Hiroshima University. According to the Washington Post, the study involved 48 students performing a fine motor task: playing a game (similar to the U.S. game Operation) which required very careful, gentle movements. They performed this task both before and after being shown a photograph of a baby animal, an adult animal, or a pleasant food item.
Amazingly, the students who looked at the baby animal photos showed a significant improvement both in how many times they completed the task, and in how accurate they were (see chart at left)!
The scientists theorize that this may be because caring for baby animals (nurturance) requires very tender treatment of the animals, as well as “careful attention to the targetsí physical and mental states as well as vigilance against possible threats to the targets.”
Thus, it may be possible that simply looking at photos of baby animals invokes similar productive, attentive behaviors as the ones we would have if we were caring for the animals in person!
Well, if science says so… then it’s only proper that you should take a few minutes out of your day to boost your productivity by looking at some adorable baby animal photos. Care2 is here to help! Here are†24 Adorable Baby Animal Photos to Increase Your Productivity!
First, a kitten named Cheech who adopted this chihuahua pup named Casanova (also seen above):
Photos Credit: Love Meow
Ready for more productivity and accuracy in your life? Read on!
Baby bat-eared foxes:
Here’s a rescued stray kitten named Magilla Glub Glub (yes, really):
via Cute Overload
Baby mouse lemurs:
A kitten named Memebon:
Orphaned baby rabbit (at a wildlife rescue facility):
via Cute Overload