Implicit and explicit responses to infant sounds: A cross-sectional study among parents and non-parents

This research investigates the infant schema in auditory perception by examining how different demographics, including males, females, parents, and non-parents, respond implicitly and explicitly to baby vocalizations in comparison to adult, cat, and kitten sounds. Utilizing a single category implicit association task (SC-IAT) and a detailed questionnaire, we analyzed participants' responses to synthesized vowel sounds from infants, adults, cats, and kittens. The questionnaire focused on participants' liking and perception of cuteness for these sounds. Findings reveal a universal positive implicit preference for baby vocalizations across all groups (p = 0.01), without a similar effect for other sound sources. In contrast, explicit responses varied significantly. While all groups showed a preference for the sounds of cats, babies, and kittens over adults, only mothers demonstrated a statistically significant explicit preference for infant sounds over those of cats and kittens. This study highlights the discrepancy between unconscious and conscious attitudes towards infant sounds. It underscores that while an implicit affinity for baby vocalizations is widespread, explicit preferences, particularly in terms of cuteness and likeability, are markedly stronger in mothers. These insights contribute to our understanding of the auditory dimension of the infant schema, emphasizing the role of gender and parental status in shaping responses.