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Why Barbie is perceived as beautiful

A M Magro1

  • 1Division of Science, Mathematics and Health Careers, Fairmont State College, WV 26554, USA.

Perceptual and Motor Skills
|August 1, 1997
PubMed
Summary

The Barbie doll

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Area of Science:

  • Evolutionary biology
  • Human anatomy
  • Aesthetics

Background:

  • The enduring popularity of the Barbie doll suggests its physical characteristics are perceived as attractive.
  • Human evolution has shaped anatomical proportions, with some traits becoming less common (primitive) and others more prevalent (derived).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate why the Barbie doll's exaggerated, derived features are perceived as attractive.
  • To explore the relationship between evolutionary traits and human aesthetic preferences.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of paleontological data on hominid fossil traits.
  • A survey of 495 subjects using drawings and photographs to compare primitive and derived anatomical traits.
  • Subjects were asked to identify more attractive shapes and proportions.

Main Results:

  • Subjects showed significant agreement in perceiving derived anatomical traits as more attractive than primitive ones.
  • The Barbie doll's exaggerated proportions align with these derived characteristics.

Conclusions:

  • The Barbie doll's attractiveness may stem from its emphasis on derived evolutionary traits.
  • Human beauty standards appear to favor features that have become more prevalent through evolution.

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