Evaluation of Kawaii Feelings Caused by Stuffed Animals to Reduce Stress

Abstract

We have focused our attention on the affective value of “kawaii” as an additional value of industrial products and have been conducting research to analyze their physical attributes systematically. In addition, we have been studying measurement and classification of kawaii feelings by biological signals. From experimental results on changes in heart rate due to kawaii image types in previous studies, kawaii feelings were categorized as “exciting kawaii” and “relaxing kawaii”. Heart rate increases only for “excited kawaii”. Furthermore, in a subsequent study, we studied the change of heart rate due to the kawaii feeling by looking at a stuffed animal. From the evaluation by heart rate, it was found that the stuffed animal made the experimental participant healed, and that it made her heart rate decrease. On the other hand, in recent years, it is often said that “modern society is a stressful society”. Excessive stress can cause various adverse effects on both the body and mind, and in the worst case may result in death. Many studies pursuing “healing” about how to relieve stress have been conducted. However, few studies have investigated the effects of “healing kawaii” of stuffed animals. Therefore, this research aims to clarify the effect of relieving stress by considering whether “healing kawaii” of stuffed animals can reduce stress.