Human physical appearance 211451 225224593 2008-07-12T15:37:42Z Afiya27 4861450 /* Physiological differences in human physical appearance from individual to individual */ Variations in the '''physical appearance of humans''', known as human '''looks''', are believed by [[anthropologist]]s to be an important factor in the development of personality and [[social relations]] in particular [[physical attractiveness]]. There is a relatively low [[sexual dimorphism]] between human males and females in comparison with other mammals. However humans are acutely sensitive to variations in physical appearance, some theorize for reasons of evolution. Some differences in human appearance are [[genetics|genetic]], others are the result of [[senescence|age]] or [[disease]], and many are the result of personal [[adornment]]. Some people have traditionally linked some differences in personal appearance such as skeletal shape with [[Race (classification of human beings)|race]], such as [[prognathism]] or elongated stride (but this is a controversial and sensitive matter). Different cultures place different degrees of emphasis on physical appearance and its importance to social status and other phenomena. ==List by category== ===Physiological differences in human physical appearance from individual to individual=== * [[Human height| Height]], [[body weight]], [[human skin tone|skin tone]], body hair, [[sexual organ]]s, [[mole (skin marking)|moles]], [[freckle]]s, [[hair color| hair color]], [[hair texture]], [[eye color| eye color]], [[nose]] shape, [[ear]]s shape, body shape, body deformations, mutilations and other variations such as [[amputation]]s, [[scar]]s, [[Burn (injury)|burn]]s and [[wound]]s. ===Long-term physiological changes in an individual=== *[[Senescence|Aging]] *[[Hair loss]] ===Short-term physiological changes in an individual=== *[[Blushing]], [[crying]], [[fainting]], [[hiccup]], [[stuttering]], [[sexual arousal]], reddening of the skin due to increased blood flow due to exertion. [[Sweating]], [[shivering]], [[nose bleeding]], [[sun tanning| skin color changes]] due to [[Sunlight|sunshine]] or [[frost]]. ===Clothing and personal effects===<!-- This section is linked from [[Clothing]] --> *[[clothing]], including [[headgear]] and [[footwear]]; some clothes alter or mold the shape of the body (e.g. [[corset]], support pantyhose, [[Brassiere|bra]]). As for [[footwear]], [[high heels]] make a person look taller. * style and colour of [[haircut]] (see also [[Mohawk_hairstyle|mohawk]], [[dreadlocks]], [[braid]]s, [[ponytail]], [[Wig (hair)|wig]], [[hairpin]], [[facial hair]], [[beard]] and [[moustache]]) *[[cosmetics]], stage makeup, [[body painting]]s, [[permanent makeup]] *[[body modification]]s, such as [[body piercing]]s and [[tattoo]]s *[[plastic surgery]] *decorative objects ([[jewelry]]) such as a [[necklace]]s, [[bracelet]]s, [[finger ring|ring]]s, [[earring]]s *medical or body shape altering devices (e.g. [[tooth braces]], [[bandage]]s, [[Cast (orthopedic)|cast]]s, [[hearing aids]], [[cervical collar]], [[crutches]], [[contact lens| contact lenses]] of different colours, [[glasses]], [[gold]] [[teeth]]) ===Other functional objects, temporarily attached to the body=== *[[jewelry]] *[[sunglasses]] *[[goggles]] *[[watch]] *[[headphones]]/[[Bluetooth|handsfree]] phone headset *[[electronics]] (e.g. [[Personal digital assistant|PDA]], [[Mobile phone|cell phone]], [[Digital audio player|DAP]]) *[[weapon]]s *[[hair]] [[ornament]]s *[[hat]]s and [[cap]]s ==See also== {{commonscat|people}} *[[Beauty]] *[[Body image]] *[[Clothing]] *[[Human variability#Common human variations|Common human variations]] *[[Eigenface]] *[[Face perception]] *[[Facial symmetry]] *[[Fashion]] *[[Hair coloring]] *[[Nudity]] *[[Physical attractiveness]] *[[Recognition of human individuals]] *[[Sexual attraction]] *[[Sexual selection]] *[[Social aspects of clothing]] *[[Social role of hair]] *[[Ugliness]] *[[Vanity]] ==References== *[http://www.personalityresearch.org/papers/popkins2.html A discussion of the possible effect of physical appearance on personality development at personalityresearch.org] *[http://www.beautyworlds.com/humanbeauty.htm Page with a list of links to discussions of the role of physical appearance in sexual selection and evolution. ''We need to link to their links directly, having read them, as this page is a blizzard of pop-up ads''] {{Human}} [[Category:Human appearance|*]] [[Category:Aesthetics]] [[de:Aussehen]] [[nl:Uiterlijk]] [[ja:容貌]] [[ru:Внешний вид человека]] [[fi:Ihmisen ulkonäkö]]