The Biology of Beauty: The Science Behind Human Attractiveness

274 Pages·2018·5.03 MB·English

by  Rachelle M Smith

The Biology of Beauty
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The Biology of Beauty
The Science behind Human Attractiveness
RACHELLE M. SMITH
Copyright © 2018 by ABC-CLIO, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,
except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior
permission in writing from the publisher.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Names: Smith, Rachelle M., author.
Title: The biology of beauty : the science behind human attractiveness /
Rachelle M. Smith.
Description: Santa Barbara : Greenwood, 2018. | Includes
bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2018001414 (print) | LCCN 2018015682 (ebook) |
ISBN 9781440849893 (ebook) | ISBN 9781440849886 (alk. paper)
Subjects: LCSH: Aesthetics—Physiological aspects. | Beauty, Personal. |
Interpersonal attraction.
Classification: LCC BH301.P45 (ebook) | LCC BH301.P45 S65 2018 (print) |
DDC 153.7/58—dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2018001414
ISBN: 978-1-4408-4988-6 (print)
978-1-4408-4989-3 (ebook)
22 21 20 19 18 1 2 3 4 5
This book is also available as an eBook.
Greenwood
An Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC
ABC-CLIO, LLC
130 Cremona Drive, P.O. Box 1911
Santa Barbara, California 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com
This book is printed on acid-free paper
Manufactured in the United States of America
Contents
Preface vii
Part I: Understanding Beauty 1
1. Defining Beauty 3
2. The Benefits of Beauty 31
3. Buying Beauty 53
4. Changes in Beauty Trends over Time 81
5. Evolution’s Impact on Modern Attraction: The Interaction
of Genes and Environment 97
6. The Impact of Attractiveness on Behavior and Relationship
Satisfaction 117
7. Psychological Effects of the Preoccupation with Beauty 141
Part II: Beauty from Head to Toe 165
Head, Facial, and Body Hair 165
Skin 176
Face Shape and Structure 183
Eyes 189
vi Contents
Nose 194
Ears 195
Lips 197
Teeth 200
Hands 203
Body Shape and Proportions 204
Breasts and Buttocks 215
Muscularity 217
Inguinal Crease 218
Male Genitalia 218
Feet 219
Hormonal Influences on Attraction 221
Psychological Traits 231
Glossary 233
References and Further Reading 241
Index 253
Preface
From the time of the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, human attractive-
ness has been analyzed, sought, and revered. Specific proportions such as
the golden ratio were initially thought to underlie perfection. Even then,
researchers believed there was a fundamental relationship between attrac-
tiveness and other positive health, behavioral, and personal qualities.
Current scientific research continues to explore what it is that makes some-
one physically a ttractive and how those traits relate to other qualities. Many
psychology and evolutionary researchers have built careers studying beauty
and physical attraction around the world, examining the underpinnings of
what is beautiful and how beauty relates to success, physical and mental
health, opportunities, friendships, sexual relationships, behavior, and mar-
riage. Their research has added to a foundation of understanding what it
means to be attractive and the biological underpinnings of beauty. Research
clearly demonstrates a universal conception of beauty that is largely consis-
tent throughout the world regardless of age, culture, political system, reli-
gion, mating style, or government structure.
The goal of this book is to explore these similarities to discover the
underlying biology of beauty. The book explores basic questions surrounding
what is considered beautiful, the benefits of beauty, how individuals try to
make themselves more attractive (now and in the past), beauty trends in
the United States, the evolutionary explanation for attraction, the impact of
attractiveness on relationships, and the psychological effects of a preoccupa-
tion with attractiveness.
viii Preface
Part I of this book reviews empirical research that reveals the major con-
tributors to physical attractiveness. Chapter 1 breaks down the individual
aspects that constitute objective and subjective beauty. These range from
traits such as symmetrical proportions of the body and face, and signs of
youth and health, to interpersonal traits such as personality, ambition, and
familiarity. Once beauty is defined, Chapter 2 explores the biological and
social benefits of possessing such traits. Chapter 3 assesses the research on
how individuals of average attractiveness can make themselves more beau-
tiful and the impact such changes have on reaping the benefits of beauty.
Chapter 4 looks at changes in standards of attractiveness throughout time
and the media’s impact on beauty trends in the Unites States. Chapter 5
examines the role of evolution on attraction and relationships. Chapter 6
assesses how attractiveness impacts relationship satisfaction and longevity,
and Chapter 7 analyzes the psychological effects that result from the quest to
meet beauty standards.
In Part II, specific body parts are examined to assess the research on what
makes each attractive. Part II also includes cultural sidebars that examine
specific and conflicting beauty trends in cultures around the world and
throughout history.
Part I
Understanding Beauty