The Karo Batak people of North Sumatra might find the story of Cinderella more understandable if its heroine had large, rather than petite, feet.
For in that remote Indonesian society, people believe large-footed women are more attractive, according to a study published this week in the journal Human Nature.
That preference is not what earlier researchers found in many other areas of the world, including the United States. And thatÂ’s what makes this studyÂ’s finding so interesting. For it challenges the dominant evolutionary-psychology theory that humans developed a set of universal mating preferences tens of thousands of years ago.
The current study suggests that mating preferences are more likely governed by culturally transmitted norms — and recent ones, at that.
...
Sorry, Cinderella: Not everyone thinks attractive women must have petite feet | MinnPost
For in that remote Indonesian society, people believe large-footed women are more attractive, according to a study published this week in the journal Human Nature.
That preference is not what earlier researchers found in many other areas of the world, including the United States. And thatÂ’s what makes this studyÂ’s finding so interesting. For it challenges the dominant evolutionary-psychology theory that humans developed a set of universal mating preferences tens of thousands of years ago.
The current study suggests that mating preferences are more likely governed by culturally transmitted norms — and recent ones, at that.
...
Sorry, Cinderella: Not everyone thinks attractive women must have petite feet | MinnPost
