Paper of the Month

Why Barbie is perceived as beautiful
Magro, Albert. M. (1997).
Fairmont State College, School of Science and Mathematics, West Virginia, USA.
Perceptual and Motor Skills 85, 363-374.

Abstract

Data from the fossil record shows how the human body has changed and evolved. Some of these changes are physical traits that are no longer found in humans (they are primitive) and some are physical traits that have become increasingly more prevalent (derived). Barbie, it seems, has body proportions that highlight the derived features, so they become exaggerated.

When humans look at the appearance of the body, derived traits are seen to be attractive, while primitive traits are seen to be unattractive. In this study, drawings and photographs were used to investigate reactions of 495 subjects to both the primitive and derived traits, and they were all asked to select the shape or proportion that they found to be most attractive. There was significant agreement that derived physical traits were perceived as more eye-catching than primitive ones.

The Barbie doll, therefore, illustrates the bodily elements that humans find most beautiful, and highlights our derived evolutionary traits. This may explain why Barbie is thought to be attractive.

Some Barbie Trivia:
Barbie (or Barbara Millicent Roberts) is 45, and hails from Willows, Wisconsin. She has five sisters (Skipper, Tutti, Stacie, Kelly and Krissy), and a brother (Todd), and has had over 80 careers and 43 pets. The best selling Barbie doll ever was "totally hair Barbie", with hair from her head to her toes. She originally cost $3, and has a 39-18-33 figure.