Curvology : The Origins and Power of Female Body Shape

The Overlook Press, 2015. — 176 p. — ISBN-10: 1468312022. — ISBN-13: 978-1468312027 Anatomy professor David Bainbridge applies the science of evolutionary biology and psychology to look at women's bodies in our ancestral past, our self-image-obsessed present, and our surgically enhanced future. Few things are as tantalizing as a woman's curves...and yet, humans are the only mammals on earth whose females have curvy bodies. Why? And what does this unique body shape mean for us? In Curvology, researcher David Bainbridge uses his scientific know-how to get to the bottom of this anatomical mystery and to explore the social and psychological consequences of our cultural fixation with curves and fat. Bainbridge brings thorough and clear-headed scientific research to this topic, as well as an admirable understanding of the real-life ramifications of the fascinating statistics and provocative studies he cites. Blending evolutionary biology, cultural observation, and cutting-edge psychology, Bainbridge critically synthesize the science and history of women's body shape, from ancient homonids to the age of the selfie, offering insights into how women's bodies became objects of fascination and raising awareness about what this scrutiny does to our brains. Packed with controversial and compelling findings that drive us to think about the significance of our curves and what they mean for future generations, Curvology offers not just a compelling collection of facts and studies, but an endlessly fascinating take on evolution and its consequences

Few things are as tantalizing as a woman's curves...and yet, humans are the only mammals on earth whose females have curvy bodies. Why? And what does this unique body shape mean for us? In Curvology, researcher David Bainbridge uses his scientific know-how to get to the bottom of this anatomical mystery and to explore the social and psychological consequences of our cultural fixation with curves and fat.Bainbridge brings thorough and clear-headed scientific research to this topic, as well as an admirable understanding of the real-life ramifications of the fascinating statistics and provocative studies he cites. Blending evolutionary biology, cultural observation, and cutting-edge psychology, Bainbridge critically synthesize the science and history of women's body shape, from ancient homonids to the age of the selfie, offering insights into how women's bodies became objects of fascination and raising awareness about what this scrutiny does to our brains.Packed with controversial and compelling findings that drive us to think about the significance of our curves and what they mean for future generations, Curvology offers not just a compelling collection of facts and studies, but an endlessly fascinating take on evolution and its consequences.

A zoologist explores the unique evolution of the female body in this fascinating study of social, historical, and biological influences. Humans are the only mammals whose females have curvy bodies. In Curvology , zoologist David Bainbridge uses his scientific know-how to explore this anatomical mystery. With wide ranging data and analysis, he delves into the social and psychological consequences of our fixation with curves and fat. Blending evolutionary biology, cultural observation, and cutting-edge psychology, Bainbridge critically synthesize the science and history of women's body shape, from ancient homonids to the age of the selfie, offering insights into how women's bodies became objects of fascination and raising awareness about what this scrutiny does to our brains. Packed with controversial and compelling findings that drive us to think about the significance of our curves and what they mean for future generations, Curvology offers not just a compelling collection of facts and studies, but a fascinating take on human evolution. Anatomy professor David Bainbridge applies the science of evolutionary biology and psychology to look at women's bodies in our ancestral past, our self-image-obsessed present, and our surgically enhanced future. Few things are as tantalizing as a woman's curves...and yet, humans are the only mammals on earth whose females have curvy bodies. Why? And what does this unique body shape mean for us? In Curvology , researcher David Bainbridge uses his scientific know-how to get to the bottom of this anatomical mystery and to explore the social and psychological consequences of our cultural fixation with curves and fat. Bainbridge brings thorough and clear-headed scientific research to this topic, as well as an admirable understanding of the real-life ramifications of the fascinating statistics and provocative studies he cites. Blending evolutionary biology, cultural observation, and cutting-edge psychology, Bainbridge critically synthesize the science and history of women's... SCI056000; SCI086000; HIS058000 In Curvology, Cambridge Professor of Veterinary Anatomy David Bainbridge applies the science of evolutionary biology and cutting-edge psychology to women's bodies, to explain why the human female is the only female animal to have curves and how these curves rule our lives, by influencing not only sexual selection but also social hierarchy and self-image. Written in lucid and engaging prose, Bainbridge's unique brand of popular science also draws on illuminating references from art history, contemporary media culture, and a range of first-person interviews with some actual human women . Offering a level-headed and fresh perspective on a contentious issue, Curvology will be a fascinating, controversial, and highly newsworthy read.