Skip to main content
Top
Gepubliceerd in:

03-04-2018 | Original Article

Chubby hands or little fingers: sex differences in hand representation

Auteurs: Lara A. Coelho, Claudia L. R. Gonzalez

Gepubliceerd in: Psychological Research | Uitgave 7/2019

Log in om toegang te krijgen
share
DELEN

Deel dit onderdeel of sectie (kopieer de link)

  • Optie A:
    Klik op de rechtermuisknop op de link en selecteer de optie “linkadres kopiëren”
  • Optie B:
    Deel de link per e-mail

Abstract

Disturbed body representation is a condition defined by the perception that one’s body size is different from their anatomical size. While equal amounts of males and females suffer from disturbed body representation, there appear to be differences in the direction of this distortion. Females will typically overestimate, whereas males will typically underestimate body size. One part of the body that has been consistently misperceived is the hands. This misrepresentation consists of two distinct characteristics: an overestimation of hand width, and an underestimation of finger length. Many of these studies, however, have used predominately female participants, allowing for the possibility that women are driving this distortion. The aim of the present study was to examine possible sex differences in hand perception. To this end, participants estimated the location of ten landmarks on their hands when their hands were hidden from view. Our results indicate that females follow the characteristic distortion, whereas males only underestimate finger length (albeit more than females). These findings are surprising, because the hands are not an area of concern for weight gain/loss. We discuss these findings in relation to body dysmorphia literature.
Bijlagen
Deze inhoud is alleen zichtbaar als je bent ingelogd en de juiste rechten hebt.
Literatuur
Deze inhoud is alleen zichtbaar als je bent ingelogd en de juiste rechten hebt.
Metagegevens
Titel
Chubby hands or little fingers: sex differences in hand representation
Auteurs
Lara A. Coelho
Claudia L. R. Gonzalez
Publicatiedatum
03-04-2018
Uitgeverij
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Gepubliceerd in
Psychological Research / Uitgave 7/2019
Print ISSN: 0340-0727
Elektronisch ISSN: 1430-2772
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00426-018-1003-x