Hope, D., Bates, T. C., Dykiert, D., Der, G. and Deary, I. J. (2013) Bodily symmetry increases across human childhood. Early Human Development, 89(8), pp. 531-535. (doi: 10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2013.01.003)
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Publisher's URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2013.01.003
Abstract
<b>Background</b> 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.<p></p> <b>Aims</b> To test how, if at all, bodily symmetry changes across childhood.<p></p> <b>Study design</b> 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.<p></p> <b>Subjects</b> 887 children attending a public science event aged between 4 and 15 years old.<p></p> <b>Outcome measures</b> Mean asymmetry for the eight traits (an average of the asymmetry scores for the lengths and widths of digits 2 to 5).<p></p> <b>Results</b> Symmetry increases in childhood and we found that this period of development is best described by a nonlinear function.<p></p> <b>Conclusion</b> 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.<p></p>
Item Type: | Articles |
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Status: | Published |
Refereed: | Yes |
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: | Der, Mr Geoffrey |
Authors: | Hope, D., Bates, T. C., Dykiert, D., Der, G., and Deary, I. J. |
College/School: | College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > MRC/CSO SPHSU |
Journal Name: | Early Human Development |
ISSN: | 0378-3782 |
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