What Your Teddy Bear Reveals About You and Your Relationship with Nature

[Press Release] - Published on September 24, 2025 in Press Room, Science and Society

Researchers from the University of Montpellier, the CNRS, Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier, and Aix-Marseille University have published two complementary studies on a universal and emotionally resonant object: the teddy bear. These studies, published in *The Journal of Positive Psychology* and *BioScience*, show that far from being mere toys, teddy bears serve as genuine scientific models for understanding our emotions, our social behaviors… and even our connection to nature.

The Science of “Cuteness”: Beauty, Comfort, and Protection

The first study, published in *The Journal of Positive Psychology*, drew on data from more than 11,000 participants who evaluated 436 photos of teddy bears. The results show that a teddy bear’s “cuteness” is based on a winning trio: beauty, comfort, and the desire to protect. “The softer and more beautiful a teddy bear appears, the more its cuteness triggers our desire to protect it,” explains Nathalie Blanc (Paul-Valéry University of Montpellier). For children, all these factors contribute equally to a teddy bear’s cuteness. For adults, however, comfort is the predominant factor. “This indicates that for adults, the teddy bear is primarily associated with a comforting function, and that this criterion will be decisive when making a purchase for a child,” explains Anne-Sophie Tribot (Aix-Marseille University). “Moreover, bears that are worn, damaged, or feature very unconventional designs generally elicit less affection,” continues Anne-Sophie Tribot. The study reveals other generational differences: children prefer colorful, unconventional, and high-contrast bears, while adults tend to favor brown bears, which are more classic models. The researchers also show that the perception of softness is key for both adults and children: “Even in a photo, the stuffed animal we imagine to be the most pleasant to cuddle is the one that appeals to us the most.” “The appeal (spontaneously attributed to the teddy bear) isn’t just a matter of aesthetics: it also fosters empathy and potentially stimulates prosocial behaviors,” concludes Nathalie Blanc. There’s no doubt that the teddy bear is a powerful tool for understanding the psychological workings of the individual.

Too Cute to Be Wild: A Reflection of Our Disconnection from Nature

The second study, published in BioScience, was based on a novel analysis: the researchers compared the morphological and colorimetric characteristics of the teddy bears evaluated in their first study with those of real bears. The results show that teddy bears meet universal aesthetic standards: disproportionate heads, prominent eyes, rounded silhouettes, uniform fur, and neutral colors, which make them instantly endearing. But these traits do not resemble those of wild bears. “Our analyses reveal that real bears are far from the standards of the most popular teddy bears: even the panda, which has become a global icon, remains far removed from the representations conveyed by teddy bears,” notes Nicolas Mouquet (University of Montpellier, CNRS). These differences reflect a profound disconnect between the emotional experience of nature and its biological reality. “The teddy bear is a mirror of our relationship with nature: it embodies both the tenderness of an emotional bond and our distance from the real world,” explains Nicolas Mouquet. “Just like the media and art, toys and stuffed animals play a major role in spreading and popularizing idealized representations of living creatures,” notes Anne-Sophie Tribot. This idealized vision may seem harmless, but it raises the question: “If our representations of living things are built on symbols that are too caricatured, don’t we risk losing our ability to perceive and protect the complexity of the natural world?” adds Nicolas Mouquet.

So much more than just toys!

These two studies point to the same conclusion: teddy bears are more than just childhood companions. They act as mirrors of our emotions, our social perceptions, and our relationship with nature. Their appeal makes them powerful tools for fostering empathy in children, alleviating anxiety in medical settings, and even prompting us to rethink how we protect biodiversity. “Teddy bears are not just toys: they are conduits of tenderness, empathy, and affection—symbols through which we can cultivate pro-nature values; however, we must learn to use them wisely,” concludes Nicolas Mouquet.