A study conducted in France during European Researchers’ Night aimed to identify the characteristics of teddy bears that contribute to their comforting nature. The researchers focused on visual, olfactory, and tactile properties, but found that the emotional bond with the teddy bear is the primary factor determining its comforting power. The paper was published in the Journal of Positive Psychology.
Teddy bears are soft, plush toys that resemble bears, typically made from fabric and filled with a soft material like cotton or synthetic fibers. Originating in the early 20th century, teddy bears have become beloved comfort objects and collectibles for both children and adults. These bears, often given as gifts to convey affection or provide comfort, are available in a wide range of sizes, colors, and styles.
The term “teddy bear” is thought to have been coined from a 1902 cartoon titled “Drawing the Line in Mississippi,” published in the Washington Post, which depicted President Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt refusing to shoot a tethered baby black bear. Following the cartoon’s publication, a handmade stuffed bear was created and quickly sold out, sparking a surge in the production of “Teddy’s Bears” in the U.S. Over time, “Teddy’s Bears” were simply called “teddy bears,” and they gained popularity as toys worldwide.
Study author Anne-Sophie Tribot and her colleagues argued that examining the origins of teddy bears’ comforting powers is a legitimate scientific endeavor. Countless children around the globe find solace in teddy bears, using them to navigate emotions and feel secure. The researchers aimed to determine if specific physical or sensory characteristics enhance a teddy bear’s ability to comfort.
The study included 395 individuals taking part in a participatory study conducted during the European Researchers’ Night. This annual Europe-wide event, which is funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions of the EU, allows researchers to organize educational and entertainment activities highlighting the diversity of science and its impact on citizens’ daily lives.
Of the participants, 60% were female, primarily children and adolescents. The average age was 18, though the median age was 12, with 75% under 27 years old.
The researchers selected eight standard teddy bears with varying characteristics and distributed them to different event venues across France. These characteristics included muzzle volume, truffle circumference, and leg length, among others. The bears were intentionally kept small for ease of handling and shipping.
Participants were invited to engage with the teddy bears, photograph them in a photo studio set up by the researchers, measure their properties, and rate their sensory appeal (e.g., visual appeal, tactile quality). They were then asked to compare their own teddy bears with those of others and the standard bears used in the study to determine which they would prefer to cuddle in times of distress.
Results showed that none of the teddy bears’ visual characteristics correlated with their comfort scores. When assessing the comfort of teddy bears owned by others, the most significant factors were softness, fur length, smell, body volume, and visual appeal. Smiling bears owned by others were perceived as marginally more comforting than non-smiling ones, though a bear’s smile did not influence the comfort scores of participants’ own bears.
Participants in general found their own teddy bears to be much more comforting that teddy bears belonging to other people or the standard teddy bears provided by the researchers.
“In conclusion, the comforting power of teddy bears lies firstly in the emotional bonds (observed through ownership effect), and secondly in a combination of visual, olfactory, and especially kinesthetic characteristics,” the study authors wrote.
The study highlights the importance of teddy bears to many people and particularly to children. However, study was limited to using just eight standard teddy bears of similar size. A wider variety of teddy bears might have produced different results. Additionally, although the chosen teddy bears were selected to all have positive facial expressions, some participants could have interpreted their smiles as frightening or disturbing rather than comforting.
The paper, “What makes a teddy bear comforting? A participatory study reveals the prevalence of sensory characteristics and emotional bonds in the perception of comforting teddy bears,” was authored by Anne-Sophie Tribot, Nathalie Blanc, Thierry Brassac, François Guilhaumon, Nicolas Casajus, and Nicolas Mouquet.