Why We Hug So Hard it Hurts | The Science of Happiness

Have you ever thought something was so cute you just wanted to squeeze it? Ever wonder why? This week on the Science of Happiness, we investigate a phenomenon known as 'cute aggression.' Here's what we found out!

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Created by: Mike Bernstein and Matt Pittman
Directed by: Mike Bernstein
Producer: Matt Pittman
Writer: Mike Bernstein
Hosted by: Julian Huguet

Cinematographer: Yuki Noguchi
Production Designer: Flower Cole

Editor: Zach Anderson
BTS Editor: Oscar Castro
1st AD: Nick Erickson
Production Coordinator: Will Cubbon
PA: Alex Montgomery

Participants: Andrew Grissom, Craig Smith, Etalvia Cashin, Katie Garland, Orlando McNary, Martha Faghani, Salman Sheikh, Margherita Underhill, Dale Sheih

1st AC | B Cam Op: Richie Yau
2nd AC | DIT: Loie Russell-Templeton
BTS Cinematographer: Blair Neighbors
Gaffer: John Woodsie
BB Electric: Tim Davis, Chris Faulkner
Art Director: Libby Wampler
Makeup: Taylor Tompkins
On Set Sound Mixer: Ben Adams
Post Sound Designer & Mixer: Matt Schwartz
VFX: Cameron Clark
Colorist: Trevor Durtschi

Music:
"Little things swimming under a microscope" by Lullatune
"The Hands of a Clock" by Lullatune
"Brass Practice" by Lullatune
"Riding a bike down a big hill and taking your feet off of the pedals" by Lullatune

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How do students react when high school boys are treated like women in Congress?? CLICK HERE to find out!
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[jeynalim]

I think I would have popped the bubble wrap for fun and not as a response to cute pictures. I mean.. it's freaking bubble wrap!

[eliseommundsengranli]

omfg "is there something wrong with a brotha" hahahahahahahahahaha

[YukeiNg]

"It's so fluffy I'm gona die!" - Agnes from Despicable Me

[Participant]

Have you ever thought something was so cute you just wanted to squeeze it? Ever wonder why? This week on the Science of Happiness, we investigate a phenomenon known as "cute aggression."

[lexilathrop]

"I hugger he tighter than I usually would. And other things" the cute smile of adoration after that made that whole thing way lesss worse, i love that

[_gongster]

""I hugger he tighter than I usually would. And other things" Aha! I love that! :D 4:29

[priscillasmith]

I didn't know cute aggression was a thing. I have felt it on numerous occasions. For instance, I just got this cute little puppy and sometimes I want to hug him so tightly he pops. Of course I don't, but the urge is real! Thank you SP for making it okay to have those feelings!

[GBGeeKs]

In my college psych class, we were talking about behavior and such modules. I raised my hand and told my teacher about SoulPancake and now we have an extra credit opportunity; Do a random act of kindness. I owe you a thanks for introducing me to this channel.

[jonimaelara]

Finally! The English term for what we Filipinos call "Gigil"

I get that all the time with my dogs, hubby, babies

[officialsouthsoul]

That black dude is hilarious man. Had me rolling lol

[crotnem]

You are so right, I had tears of joy for the people calling their support person. I was just taken with that! The animals were a different feeling, I wanted to squeeze all the puppies and kittens and just thought some of the other animals made me smile more than normal! Thanks for sharing this all with us! It's just amazing.

[sizzylizzy]

"...and other Things." I died laughing

[Participant]

Thank you so much for sharing that with us! It means so much to hear that from you. We love making videos and one of the best things about Youtube is that we have that direct contact. You inspire us as well!

[Participant]

Aw, thank you! So happy you like them, we're so happy to have you here!

[Participant]

Definitely! A great point. The best solution we've found this far is to keep the show and experiment a secret from those who are participating so they can't cheat!

[JWMCMLXXX]

My grandmother would rub her hands together realy quickly as if to warm them, and then she hug us and pat un the bag so quickly- like she had so much love she couldn't keep it in. I picked that up from her as an adult.

Here in Thailand, they call it "Mankeeow", or itchy fang. The feeling a dog might have nuzzling itself to scratch an itch.

In Tagalog, it is "Gigil".
I use them nearly every day.

Thank you for this channel. It is so good.
look how happy all of these comments are =)

[korienguldenpfennig]

this study makes me think of the book "of mice and men"

[westlifelife]

As a Filipina, I have always wondered what the English translation of "GIGIL" is! THIS IS IT!!!! Now I can die in peace :P

[biggestpretend]

I feel so validated right now. I've been calling this "Biting Baby Heads" since I was a kid. Because sometimes when I'm holding a really cute baby, I wanna just BITE IT'S HEAD it's SO CUTE! Same thing applies to really cute animals or boyfriends. I can't wait to share this video with my family. Thank you! :)

[saratexas]

Oh my goodness, I grit my teeth and just have the strongest desire to just squeeze the life (not literally) out of adorable animals (my dog included) all the time! I've tried to explain this to my family but they just give me odd looks. Love knowing that I'm not the only one. Obviously I never actually squeeze the life out of them, I have self control LOL.

Like the little girl from Despicable Me "IT'S SO