What the original Cornell researchers had failed to take into account was the fact that 1.) Cartoon characters in general have traditionally been drawn with their iris and pupils looking down (look at Mickey Mouse for example); and 2.) The placement of cereal bowls on the front of boxes tends to be at the bottom; The cartoon characters are looking at their cereal bowl.
What the original Cornell researchers had failed to take into account was the fact that 1.) Cartoon characters in general have traditionally been drawn with their iris and pupils looking down (look at Mickey Mouse for example); and 2.) The placement of cereal bowls on the front of boxes tends to be at the bottom; The cartoon characters are looking at their cereal bowl.
I'm calling BS on this. The eyes aren't looking down. Even placed on a lower shelf stand, the eyes appear to be looking at an adult height.
It's just another 'study' that's making up stories to simply to fit their position.