Nine-month-old infants prefer unattractive bodies over attractive bodies

Infant responses to adult-defined unattractive male body shapes versus attractive male body shapes were assessed using visual preference and habituation procedures. Looking behavior indicated that 9-month-olds have a preference for unattractive male body shapes over attractive ones; however, this preference is demonstrated only when head information is obscured. In contrast, 6- and 3.5-month-olds did not show a preference for unattractive or attractive bodies. The 6-month-olds discriminated between the two categories, whereas the 3.5-month-olds did not. Because unattractive body shapes are more common than attractive/athletic body shapes in our everyday environment, a preference for unattractive body shapes at 9 months of age suggests that preferences for particular human body shapes reflect level of exposure and familiarity rather than culturally defined stereotypes of body attractiveness.

► Nine-month-old infants prefer unattractive over attractive bodies. ► Six- and 3.5-month-olds do not show a preference for unattractive or attractive bodies. ► Six-month-olds can discriminate between unattractive and attractive bodies. ► Perceptions of body attractiveness differ for infants and adults. ► This study suggests we are not born with a concept of attractive bodies.