Beauty, Biology, and Society Essay - 1544 Words

Beauty, Biology, and Society What is beauty? How do human beings decide who is attractive and who is not? Society is full of messages telling us what is beautiful, but what are those definitions based on? Do we consciously decide whom we are attracted to, or is biology somehow involved? The issue of beauty and how we define it has been studied for centuries. Scholars from all fields of study have searched for the formula for beauty. Darwin in his book The Descent of Man wrote, It is certainly not true that there is in the mind of man any universal standard of beauty with respect to the human body. It is however, possible that certain tastes in the course of time become inherited, though I have no evidence in favor of this belief.†¦show more content†¦((1)Through an analysis of the human face they have determined that symmetry is involved. The human face is designed symmetrically. While there are variations, in general the human face is symmetric in design. (2) Because the tendency towards symmetry is a dominant trend in physical structure, humans tend to look for symmetry in each other. This desire is often times unconscious. The Golden Ratio, also known as the Phi Ratio, defines human facial structure as following a symmetrical ratio of 1:1.618. (1) Another factor involved in attractiveness is scent and more specifically pheromones. (4) While the intake of human scent may be unconscious is seems to have a positive impact on beauty as well. Pheromones are unconscious indicators that the human body releases. In a study conducted by Anja Rikowski and Karl Grammer the relationship between physical symmetry and scent was conducted. Through the experiment it was determined that individuals with a high level of facial symmetry, also give off high levels of pheromones. (2) Why are symmetry and scent so important? What does the Golden Ratio and pheromones tell us about the science of beauty? In a biological sense beauty and physical attractiveness, serve the purpose of reproduction. Humans have the innate desire to want to reproduce, and more specifically pass on their genes. (3) Attractiveness aids the reproduction process by helping humans find partners. The physical features of a person areShow MoreRelatedPsychology of Attraction1620 Words   |  7 PagesThe science of Psychology explains how people become attracted to one another. Certainly some aspects of beauty are cultural; fashion and trends change over time. Also, society and the media influence us into thinking what traits are attractive. Some reasons for attraction have to do with familiarity and proximity. Biology also plays a role in determining what traits we will possess. Biology and Psychology work hand and hand to help us pick our mates. The media plays a major role in determiningRead MoreA World Riddled By Social Expectations And Beauty Ideals1304 Words   |  6 Pages Introduction: Biology and culture are intertwined forces that affect all populations from a global perspective. This fact brings up an interesting question regarding the origins of pathology. While there are a miscellany of somatic illnesses explained by biological means, mental illnesses seem to have more of an environmental aspect to their origins, but there is controversy surrounding this detail. Even when knowing the biological etiology of mental disorders, the culture and environment is stillRead MoreThe Egg And The Sperm1202 Words   |  5 PagesEmily Martin s article The Egg and the Sperm highlights androcentric biases hidden within biology texts. Martin acknowledges the language that is being used around the egg and the sperm cells, attributing the sperm with masculine characteristics while the egg is given more feminine characteristics. 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The ongoing debate between evolutionary and abiogenesis biologists and religious leaders is the ultimate contest between science pseudoscience. Evolutionary biology bases its claims behind the idea that a gene is a hereditary unit that can be passed generation to generation. Through this change in the genetic composition of a population during successive generations, natural selection acts upon the genetic variationRead MoreMedia s Influence On The Perception Of Beauty1389 Words   |  6 Pagesdefine beauty? The answer is seemingly yes, though agreement on said definition(s) is an entirely different matter. Some concepts have the luxury of general consensus. Of course, where there is consensus on definition, there will be debate on operationalization. Nothing remains unchallenged. Beauty, however, is in a class of the transient, the ineffable, and the ephemeral. The word is just a word, but the identity ascribed to it is of the mysterious. So how does one begin to define beauty if suchRead MoreSemiotics, The, And The Greatest Obsessions Of Beauty By Hayao Miyazaki1577 Words   |  7 Pagespacifism and the greatest obsessions of beauty by juxtaposing signs, symbols, denotation, connection and myth. My analysis is separated into 4 juxtapositions: war, pacifism, beauty, ugliness and consumerism; each iden tifying the signifies and signified, the model being exploited, what messages are being put across and the principle at work linking them all together. This is based on Robert M. Seiler’s â€Å"Guide To A Semiological Analysis†. The symbolisation of beauty and ugliness depends on where you