A Study of Norms for Body Form-Behavior Relationship

Abstract

Many investigators, the most important of whom are Kretschmer ('51), Connolly ('39), Sheldon ('42), have demonstrated a relationship between human body form and behavior. Although the studies conducted by Kretschmer and Connolly were concerned with behavior in its extreme forms as manifested by the psychotic personality, both investigators agreed with the later work of Sheldon in holding that the relationship also existed for the non-psychotic personality. The basis of the relationship mentioned above has been more discussed than studied. An excellent review of the whole problem has been presented by Tucker and Lessa ('40). The theories as to a basis represent a dichotomy of thought. There is the theory that both behavior and body form represent or mirror an underlying genetic and functional biologic structure. Another theory holds that socio-cultural norms or expectations exist which channel the behavior of the individual in accordance with his body form. A third theory which has not been proposed in the literature, which seems equally credible, is one that would combine the two previously mentioned theories. It would hold that a biological basis for the relationship does exist, that the relationship between body form and behavior has been