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[UCLA Body Matrices] [Conference Paper Presentations] [Conference Poster Presentations] [Curriculum Vita] [Research Assistants] [Current Projects] [Evolutionary Psychology] |
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1. Theories of Body Satisfaction A person's level of satisfaction with their body is one of the most important issues affecting daily life satisfaction for many men and women. Low body satisfaction is linked to depression, low self-esteem, and the development of disordered eating patterns. In this lab, we investigate the utility of existing theories and attempt to refine and integrate these theories. In particular, we examine whether there these theories need to be modified to more accurately describe the experiences of ethnic minority and sexual minority individuals. I recently completed the first phase of the UCLA Body Project, which examined body satisfaction among 2200 Asian, White, and Hispanic college students. The follow-ups to this study are currently underway. Additionally, I recently submitted manuscripts from the Elle/MSNBC Sex and Body Image Study, which examined predictors of body satisfaction among 50,000 men and women who participated in an online survey. 2. Evolutionary Perspectives on Attractiveness and Close Relationships Finding relationship partner and forming a stable pair-bond with this partner is a common recurring problem that humans have faced across their evolutionary history. We therefore expect that psychological adaptations may have evolved that help solve the problem of finding a mate. For example, humans may have evolved preferences for individuals displaying certain physical traits. Past research has focused primarily on the traits that men find attractive in women. Why are some male traits sexy? We investigate the importance of male attractiveness to women, and individual differences in preferences for these traits. For example, we examine women's preferences for large body size (height, body mass, muscularity) may be a cue to dominance, social status, and/or underlying heritable fitness. Further, women's mating motivations may shift when they are most fertile. We are currently conducting within-subject and between-subject studies of the effects of fertility on women's mate preferences. 3. Human Sexuality and Close Relationships As a follow-up to the 2003 MSNBC.com/ELLE.com Sex and Body Image study, we recently conducted the 2006 MSBNC.com/Elle.com Good Sex Survey, which examined predictors of sexual satisfaction among 70,000 adult men and women. |
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