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Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although bodily symmetry is widely used in studies of fitness and individual differences, little is known about how symmetry changes across development, especially in childhood. AIMS: To test how, if at all, bodily symmetry changes across childhood. STUDY DESIGN: We measured bodily symmetry via digital images of the hands. Participants provided information on their age. We ran polynomial regression models testing for associations between age and symmetry. SUBJECTS: 887 children attending a public science event aged between 4 and 15years old. OUTCOME MEASURES: Mean asymmetry for the eight traits (an average of the asymmetry scores for the lengths and widths of digits 2 to 5). RESULTS: Symmetry increases in childhood and we found that this period of development is best described by a nonlinear function.
CONCLUSION: Symmetry may be under active control, increasing with time as the organism approaches an optimal state, prior to a subsequent decline in symmetry during senescence. The causes and consequences of this contrasting pattern of developmental improvement in symmetry and reversal in old age should be studied in more detail.
CONCLUSION: Symmetry may be under active control, increasing with time as the organism approaches an optimal state, prior to a subsequent decline in symmetry during senescence. The causes and consequences of this contrasting pattern of developmental improvement in symmetry and reversal in old age should be studied in more detail.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 531-585 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Early Human Development |
Volume | 89 |
Issue number | 8 |
Early online date | 1 Feb 2013 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Aug 2013 |
Keywords / Materials (for Non-textual outputs)
- Symmetry
- Ageing
- Development
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Dive into the research topics of 'Bodily symmetry increases across human childhood'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
- 3 Finished
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RA2661 Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology Phase 2. Main Budget.
Deary, I., Gale, C., Holmes, M., Logie, P., Maclullich, A., Porteous, D., Seckl, J., Starr, J., Wardlaw, J. & Okely, J.
1/09/13 → 31/08/19
Project: Research
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MRC Centre for Cognitive Ageing and Cognitive Epidemiology
Deary, I., Holmes, M., Logie, P., McCulloch, J., Porteous, D., Roberts, N., Seckl, J., Starr, J. & Wardlaw, J.
1/09/08 → 31/08/13
Project: Research