Introduction
“Puppy dog eyes” is a term used to describe a facial expression where a person’s eyes appear bigger, wider, and shinier, often with raised inner eyebrows. This look resembles a puppy begging for food or attention. The term refers to making pleading “puppy eyes” to try to get what you want from someone.
This article will provide an overview of the evolutionary origins of puppy dog eyes, the facial muscles involved, the psychological effects, use in human communication, gender and cultural differences, portrayals in popular media, how to make the expression, and a summary.
Evolutionary Origins
Studies have found that dogs evolved new muscles around their eyes to better communicate with humans. Dogs have a facial muscle called the levator anguli oculi medialis that wolves lack, which allows them to raise their inner eyebrow and make the classic “puppy dog eyes” expression[1][2]. This evolutionary adaptation likely emerged because the puppy dog eyes facial expression helped dogs forge stronger bonds with humans.
Researchers believe that through the process of domestication over thousands of years, dogs with more expressive faces and exaggerated eyebrows had an advantage in interacting with humans. Humans likely found canines making the puppy dog eyes expression to be more appealing. This probably helped those dogs receive more care and resources from humans, enhancing their survival[1].[2]
The puppy dog eyes facial expression triggers a nurturing response in humans, stimulating caregiving instincts and feelings of affection. It makes dogs appear more juvenile and “cute”, prompting humans to feel more empathy. Dogs seem to have adapted this ability to tug at human heartstrings and take advantage of human sensitivity to facial cues.
[1] https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/06/190617175625.htm
[2] https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/2019/08/19/puppy-dog-eyes-dogs-evolved-eyebrow-muscle-help-bond-humans/1867592001/
Facial Muscles Involved
The facial muscles that create the “puppy dog eyes” expression in humans are the same muscles that dogs use to make the pleading face that melts our hearts. According to research from the University of Portsmouth, dogs have evolved extra facial muscles around their eyes and eyebrows to allow for more facial expressions that appeal to humans [1].
In particular, the facial muscles involved in making puppy dog eyes are the frontalis muscle which raises the eyebrows, the levator anguli oculi medialis which pulls up the inner corners of the eyes, and the depressor anguli oris which droops the corners of the mouth [2]. These muscles work together to create a pleading, infantile facial expression.
Compared to other human facial expressions like smiling or frowning which utilize different major muscles, the puppy dog eye look specifically targets the muscles around the eyes and eyebrows. Drooping the mouth corners also differentiates it from a purely sad facial expression. The combination of raised brows, upturned eyes, and slightly downturned mouth gives the “asking for a treat” puppy look that dogs have mastered to win over human hearts.
Psychological Effects
The puppy dog eyes look triggers psychological responses in humans that make them more helpful and empathetic. Researchers have found that the facial movement involved in making puppy dog eyes activates people’s caregiving instincts (https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/news/puppy-dog-eyes). When dogs and humans make eye contact, dogs raise their eyebrows, which makes their eyes appear larger and gives them a childlike, innocent appearance. This look resembles human infants and triggers the human caregiving system (https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.568935). The puppy dog eyes facial expression overtly communicates to humans that dogs need protection and care. It induces a nurturing response and makes people more likely to respond compassionately.
Use in Human Communication
“Puppy dog eyes” is a term used to describe a facial expression humans make that resembles a puppy begging for something. This expression involves widening the eyes, raising the eyebrows, and pouting out the lower lip. It is used primarily as an appeal to get what one wants from another person.
Making “puppy dog eyes” triggers a nurturing response in the viewer, prompting them to want to take care of the person making the expression, much like one would feel compelled to care for an adorable puppy. It utilizes infantile facial features to invoke feelings of protectiveness and sympathy from others.
Studies show that widening the eyes and eyebrows makes the eyes appear larger, giving a “babyish” look that humans find difficult to resist or say no to. The pouting lip adds to the helpless guise, subconsciously giving the impression of needing assistance or consolation. This overall facial configuration is an effective tool for asking favors, soliciting help, or appealing to someone’s compassionate side when making a request.
“Puppy dog eyes” capitalize on deep-rooted human instincts to nurture and protect the young and defenseless. By emulating juvenile facial features that elicit caretaking urges, this expression allows humans to nonverbally communicate appeals in a compelling way that is difficult to ignore or dismiss.
Gender Differences
Research has shown some key gender differences when it comes to making “puppy dog eyes.” According to a study, female dogs spent 150% more time exaggerating their facial expressions and making puppy dog eyes compared to male dogs when interacting with humans. This suggests that female dogs are more likely to use puppy dog eyes to appeal to human emotions.
There are also gender stereotypes and expectations when it comes to women making puppy dog eyes. Some believe it is more common for women and girls to make puppy dog eyes because they are perceived as more innocent, emotional, and childlike. The puppy dog eye expression plays into gender stereotypes of women appearing more submissive, weak, and in need of protection from men. However, these assumptions are based on outdated gender roles. In reality, puppy dog eyes are a human behavior that both genders naturally make to appeal to others.
Cultural Differences
Puppy dog eyes mean different things to different cultures. While the facial expression is universally recognized, associations vary. According to research by National Geographic, in Western cultures puppy dog eyes are seen as cute and endearing. However, some Asian cultures see the expression as manipulative.
Studies show the prevalence of puppy dog eyes transcends cultures. One cross-cultural study published in the International Journal of Psychology found that people in Taiwan, India, and the United States interpreted dog facial expressions similarly. Over 80% of participants categorized puppy dog eyes as meaning the dog wanted something.
While the facial expression crosses borders, cultural associations vary. Western cultures emphasize cuteness and innocence, while Eastern cultures focus on manipulation. But the universal recognizability of puppy dog eyes suggests an innate human response, even as cultural contexts shape interpretations.
In Popular Media
Puppy dog eyes are frequently depicted in movies, TV shows, and advertising as a way to convey sadness, innocence, or to emotionally manipulate others. The “sad puppy face” has become a common trope and visual shorthand to quickly establish a character as desperate, pathetic, or in need of sympathy or rescue. According to TVTropes, this is considered a staple of “juvenile character animation.”
Some well-known examples of puppy dog eyes in animation include characters like Puss in Boots from the Shrek movies, the dog from the Disney film Lady and the Tramp, and anime characters with big sparkling eyes pleading for something. Advertisements, especially animal welfare and charity campaigns, will often show sad puppies with big eyes asking “please adopt me” or “please donate.” The facial expression attempts to pull at viewers’ heartstrings. While it can sometimes come across as a manipulative tactic, puppy dog eyes remain a prevalent cultural trope for conveying innocence and seeking sympathy.
How to Do It
Here is a step-by-step guide to making the “puppy dog eyes” facial expression:
- Relax your face and drop your jaw slightly so your lips part and teeth show a little.
- Raise your eyebrows up towards your hairline so your forehead wrinkles.
- Open your eyes slightly wider than normal by raising your lower eyelids.
- Look upwards towards the outer corners of your eyes.
- Let your upper eyelids droop downwards over your irises.
- Pout your lower lip out slightly.
- Tilt your head down a little so you are gazing upwards.
- Widen your eyes again for a few seconds, then relax them, blinking slowly.
Practice this sequence in a mirror to perfect your puppy dog eye look. Adjust the extent of each facial movement based on what looks natural for your face. For more tips, see this tutorial from Maybelline.
Conclusion
In summary, the “puppy dog eyes” expression that humans make by raising their eyebrows and widening their eyes likely originated as an evolved trait to elicit caregiving. The facial muscles involved include the frontalis muscle to raise the eyebrows and the orbicularis oculi muscle to open the eyes wider. Psychologically, making this expression elicits feelings of nurturing, care, and sympathy in observers.
Humans, especially children, often make this facial expression instinctively to appear more innocent, sad, or helpless, hoping to get their way. Women tend to use the expression more than men. There are also cultural differences in how common and effective the expression is. In popular media, “puppy dog eyes” are often referenced in describing persuasive expressions meant to tug at people’s heartstrings. While the science is limited, making this facial expression seems to activate our instinctive “cute response” and make others more likely to give us what we want. Understanding this effect can help recognize our innate social wiring when it comes to expressions eliciting caregiving behaviors in others.