Estimation of Distances on the Body

Abstract

24 men and 24 women college students estimated the sizes of 13 body stimuli and 13 nonbody objects by adjusting markers on a horizontal rod and by drawing 1:4 scale pictures of their own bodies. Data were scores expressing response size as a percentage of stimulus size. In both response modes, percentage scores for body stimuli assumed a pattern that was not evident in estimates of nonbody-object sizes. Combinations of body parts, judged as a unit, were underestimated relative to estimates of component body parts judged separately. Ss' free drawings of the human figure, rated for disturbance in body image, were not significantly related to size-estimations of body or nonbody stimuli.