Why Do We Like Shiny Things?

Why are we drawn to shiny objects? Just because they're attractive? Or is there a deeper reason?


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My precious: Scientists discover why we are attracted to shiny objects - and say the key is our inbuilt desire for water
"In one of the tests, researchers blindfolded 46 test participants and handed them a piece of paper. Half received a glossy sheet, half a matte sheet. Participants who held the glossy sheet rated it as higher quality and more attractive than those in the matte group - even without getting a look at it."

All That Glistens: II. The Effects of Reflective Surface Finishes on the Mouthing Activity of Infants and Toddlers
"A number of infants and toddlers have been observed to mouth and to lick the horizontal metal mirrors of toys on their hands and knees in a manner not unlike the way older children drink from rain pools in developing countries. Such mouthing of glistening surfaces by nursing-age children might characterize the precocious ability to recognize the glossy and sparkling features of water long before this information is useful later in development."

New study takes the shine off magpie folklore
"Magpies are not attracted to shiny objects and don't routinely steal small trinkets such as jewelry, according to a new study. In European culture, it is widely accepted that magpies (Pica pica) are the pilferers of the bird kingdom, unconditionally attracted to sparkly things and prone to pinching them for their nests, almost as a compulsion."
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Special thanks to Jules Suzdaltsev for hosting and writing this episode of DNews!

[kathmp]

Thank you for not drawing definite conclusions from a handful of studies! It's so nice to see popular science videos like this that don't claim that something is true just because one or two studies may possibly indicate that there is a relationship between two things. If only the news media would report its science like this.

[NotonlyWood]

Last Words from someone from DNews "More research is needed"

[TehOddMenOut]

When you hear "Sponsored by K Jewelers" at the end and realize you just watched a 3 minute ad for jewelry

[Toastmaster_]

This is DEFINITELY more complicated than just being reminded of water. The way I see it, shininess, when it comes to flat, smooth, or hard surfaces, correlates more to cleanliness. Humans care a lot more about a clean environment than the average animal. The average pet has no problem crapping in their living space, meanwhile humans (even in impovershed areas) will go out of their way to crap outside of their dwelling.

[zukodude]

Maybe shiny is an indicator of newness or freshness, not just water, but food like fruits and berries. Shinyness might also be attractive since we are drawn to eye which is very shiny.

[ThatShyGuyMatt]

I was going to say I am not attracted to shiny things, but then I realized with the glossy paper, I am drawn to it more then regular paper.

[harsh.]

We like shiny things because they fucking shine and they stand-out among the things that fucking don't!

[P.O.T.E.]

My theory is that it's related to vitality and good health, such as a potential partners bright eyes or wet, glossy lips. Also good, healthy skin. Sweat - which makes us glow (unless through a fever) also correlates to release of pheromones.

[TylerMatthewHarris]

People are also attracted to motion and shiney things glimmer. I wouldn't be surprised if that had something to do with it.

[greenmilklatte]

I feel like it has something to do with human eyes and how glossy they look. We get a natural good feeling from looking directly at other humans' eyes (minus when we feel unsocial on public transit lol), so the esthetic value might come from it reminding us of the good feeling of affection from other people's eyes.

[seatbelttruck]

If it was just the water, you'd think it would be apparent in most animals, not just humans, since most animals need to find water to survive (aside from ones that get all their water from food). I'm thinking it has to be more complicated than just that, although the studies seem to suggest that water is a part of it.

[shyenghyrha]

You don't see allot of shiny things in nature, just like the colour blue. Makes it eye-catching and feel special/expensive.

[Neostrius]

Sunshine is comforting for most humans and gives nature a pleasing glow, and water is a great necessity, so things that easily shed light must trigger a positive response from the brain as reward and therefore incentive to keep it around and thus have a better chance at survival. Though as humans have progressed, I imagine the attraction to shiny things has since corrupted into knowledge that other people want shiny things, so they can be exploited for their goods and/or money, once again contributing to one's survival with the added benefit of accruing various resources, influence over other people, and therefore making them more appealing to potential mates. In this way, I think people have now become typically more attracted to specific shiny things that they know are valuable to others, rather than just any old thing that shines. Something painted gold seems less appealing than gold itself.

Speaking of gold, besides it's lack of unique applications, the fact that it both combines the shine of water with the colour of the sun is likely the reason it is such a pleasing material to gaze upon, and deemed so valuable.

[WilliamMerzlak]

I always thought shiny things correlates with value, money and wealth. throughout our history, Gold, Silver, Rare Gemstones. are all shiny and reflective. So it's engrained in our minds subconscious that shiny, relates to value. A mirror polish on a sword or suit of armor is more expensive, looks like liquid silver and is more attractive when lights bounce off it. Same with mirror paint on cars.

[EMAngel]

I think it could also be an attraction to metals, since we somewhat learned to use them decently early on.

[rodrigo]

I appreciate the honesty for saying we don't know, but I was really expecting an answer.

[man_on_wheelz]

So that's it? It reminds us of water? That's the best we've come up with so far? So why would humans be so obsessed with water and it's likeness and no other creature is even though we all need water just as much?

[brightbite]

Mirrors are people too. To say that mirrors are water is objectism. Mirrors matter. This is objectist.

[acroyear]

I guess there are plenty of shiny things in nature that we like.
Honey is kinda glossy. Yummy fruits and berries, too.
I'm not sure there are very many shiny or glossy things in nature that are gross or unhelpful to us.

[Automanic]

Interesting. I know I'd definitely be more attracted to matte paper because, as an artist, I love the feel of blank paper and that urge to fill it is intrinsic at this point in my life. The reason why the glossy paper would be less desirable in this case is because it's extremely hard to mark on, especially with a pencil. A certain level of grab and texture among other factors is something many artists, of any kind, are really particular about.

I wonder if attraction to shiny things comes from it reminding us that the thing is clean? When something is shiny, that tends to mean it is clean, polished, sculpted, etc. so maybe that's something our brains link with being good, healthy, sanitary, new, valuable? A need for cleanliness is definitely a human quality I think, at least compared to other animals who have no idea about germs and the like. As for babies... well perhaps at this stage in our time that's become automatic? Maybe it's because even infants recognize the shiny things their adult caretakers have adorned themselves and the environment with (think of seeing a mother's earrings... and the child isn't scared or revolted because it's simply on its mama)? Maybe they are just dumb because we don't have much to be fearful about unlike animals (lack of fear pheromones and such)?