WordNet

having a build with little fat or muscle but with long limbs
of or relating to the ectoderm (同)ectodermic
a person with a thin body

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出典(authority):フリー百科事典『ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』「2012/12/20 15:32:11」(JST)

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Constitutional psychology is a theory, developed in the 1940s by American psychologist William Herbert Sheldon, associating body types with human temperament types. Sheldon proposed that the human physique be classified according to the relative contribution of three fundamental elements, somatotypes, named after the three germ layers of embryonic development: the endoderm, (develops into the digestive tract), the mesoderm, (becomes muscle, heart and blood vessels), and the ectoderm (forms the skin and nervous system).

In his 1954 book, Atlas of Men, Sheldon categorised all possible body types according to a scale ranging from 1 to 7 for each of the three "somatotypes", where the pure "endomorph" is 7–1–1, the pure "mesomorph" 1–7–1 and the pure "ectomorph" scores 1–1–7. From type number, an individual's mental characteristics could supposedly be predicted.

The three types

Sheldon's "somatotypes" and their supposed associated physical traits can be summarized as follows:

Ectomorphic: characterized by long and thin muscles/limbs and low fat storage; usually referred to as slim. Ectomorphs are not predisposed to store fat or build muscle.
Mesomorphic: characterized by medium bones, solid torso, low fat levels, wide shoulders with a narrow waist; usually referred to as muscular. Mesomorphs are predisposed to build muscle but not store fat.
Endomorphic: characterized by increased fat storage, a wide waist and a large bone structure, usually referred to as fat. Endomorphs are predisposed to storing fat.

There is evidence that different physiques carry cultural stereotypes. For example, one study found that endomorphs are likely to be perceived as slow, sloppy, and lazy. Mesomorphs, in contrast, are typically stereotyped as popular and hardworking, whereas ectomorphs are often viewed as intelligent but fearful.^[1] Stereotypes of mesomorphs are generally much more favorable than those of endomorphs. Stereotypes of ectomorphs are somewhat mixed.

The three body type descriptions could be modulated by body composition, which can be altered by specific diets and training techniques. In a famine, a person who was once considered an endomorph may begin to instead resemble an ectomorph, while an athletic mesomorph may begin to look more like an endomorph as he or she ages and loses muscle mass.^{[citation needed]}

However, some aspects of the somatotype cannot be changed: muscle and adipose mass may change but the bone structure is a fixed characteristic. In the same way, cultural conditions might mask a tendency to one or another temperament.^{[citation needed]}

Modern assessments

Sheldon's theories enjoyed a vogue as the "pop-psych flavor of the month" through the 1950s.^[2] Modern scientists, however, generally (with occasional exceptions,^[3]^[4] some relying on outdated – 1978 or prior – studies) dismiss his claims as outdated, if not outright quackery.^[5]

Sheldon's photographs of naked Ivy League undergraduates, numbered in the thousands, were taken under the umbrella of a pre-existing program ostensibly evaluating student posture. The photos were in fact collected by Sheldon to provide data for his ideas about somatotypes. However, as "part of a facade or cover-up" the students and schools were told that the photos were taken to evaluate posture.^[2]

References

^ Ryckman, R. M., Robbins, M. A., Kaczor, L. M., & Gold, J. A. (1989). Male and female raters' stereotyping of male and female physiques. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 15, 244-251.
^ ^a ^b Rosenbaum, Ron (January 15, 1995). "The Great Ivy League Nude Posture Photo Scandal". New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/15/magazine/the-great-ivy-league-nude-posture-photo-scandal.html. Retrieved December 2, 2011.
^ Sheldon's research led to the strong confirmation of the constitutional psychologist's expectation that there is a noteworthy continuity between the structural/physical aspects of the person and his or her functional/behavioral qualities. Although Sheldon was successful in isolating and measuring dimensions for describing physique and temperament, he cautioned that the dimensions should not be examined in isolation one by one, but, rather, the pattern of relations between the variables should be studied.

—Roeckelein, Jon E. Dictionary of Theories, Laws, and Concepts in Psychology Greenwood Publishing Group, 1998, p. 428
^ Sheldon maintained that the person's somatotype is genetically determined and causes people to develop and express personality traits consistent with their body builds. For example, he hypothesized that endomorphs (high in fatty tissue) would be sociable, complacent, and capable of easy communication of feelings. He thought mesomorphs (high in muscle tissue) would be adventurous, bold, competitive, aggressive, and energetic, whereas ectomorphs (low in fatty and muscle tissue) would be inhibited, introverted, hypersensitive to pain, and secretive. He tested these hypotheses by having observers rate individuals on these trait dimensions and found empirical support for his ideas (Sheldon, Hartl, & McDermott, 1949, pp. 26–27). Although this study has been strongly criticized on methodological grounds (Sheldon himself made both the physical and psychological ratings), more methodologically sound studies—in which investigator bias was minimized by having one investigator rate the somatotypes and having the study participants independently rate their own personality traits—have also produced supportive evidence for Sheldon's position (Child, 1950; Cortes & Gatti, 1965; Yates & Taylor, 1978).

—Ryckman, Richard M. Theories of Personality Ninth edition, Cengage Learning, 2007, p. 260
^ "Nude Photos Are Sealed At Smithsonian". New York Times. January 21, 1995. http://www.nytimes.com/1995/01/21/us/nude-photos-are-sealed-at-smithsonian.html. Retrieved December 1, 2011. "Later, other photographs were taken by W. H. Sheldon, a researcher who believed that there was a relationship between body shape and intelligence and other traits. Mr. Sheldon has since died, and his work has long been dismissed by most scientists as quackery. ..."

Sources

Hartl, Emil M.; Monnelly, Edward P.; Elderkin, Roland D. ♦ Physique and Delinquent Behavior (A Thirty-year Follow-up of William H. Sheldon’s Varieties of Delinquent Youth) ♦ Academic Press, 1982
Gerrig, Richard; Zimbardo, Phillip G. ♦ Psychology and Life ♦ 7th ed.

External links

Ectomorph Britannica
William Sheldon's Body and Temperament Types

English Journal

Ectomorphic somatotype and joint hypermobility are linked in panic and AGORAPHOBIC patients: A CASE-CONTROL STUDY.

Pailhez G, Rosado S, Baeza-Velasco C, Bulbena A.AbstractABSTRACT Objective: To test whether there is an association between somatotype measures, joint hypermobility (JH), and panic and/or agoraphobia (PA). Method: Sociodemographic characteristics, somatotype, and JH status were assessed in sixty patients (30 men and 30 women) with PA and 60 non-clinical controls, matched by age and gender. Results: Patients and controls categorized by gender did not differ in terms of age, educational degree, marital status nor labour situation. There were significant differences between mean somatotype groups both in men and women. Men and women somatotype patients were significantly less endomorphic and more ectomorphic than controls. Hypermobility was significantly more frequent in both male and female patients. In the entire sample, 38.3% of patients and 13.3% of controls were categorized as ectomorphic (χ2=8.5, p=.004). After adjusting for age and sex, ectomorphic somatotype was independently related to JH status [OR=3.25, 95% CI 1.35-7.8, p=.008]. Conclusions: Since PA may be associated with JH, it is suggested that the relationship found between panic and ectomorphic somatotype might be mediated through JH.
International journal of psychiatry in clinical practice.Int J Psychiatry Clin Pract.2014 Feb 17. [Epub ahead of print]
ABSTRACT Objective: To test whether there is an association between somatotype measures, joint hypermobility (JH), and panic and/or agoraphobia (PA). Method: Sociodemographic characteristics, somatotype, and JH status were assessed in sixty patients (30 men and 30 women) with PA and 60 non-clinical
PMID 24527884

Anthropometric variables and their relationship to performance and ability in male surfers.

Barlow MJ, Findlay M, Gresty K, Cooke C.Author information a Faculty of Science , Plymouth University , Plymouth , UK.AbstractAbstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric profiles of male surfers and to investigate the relationship of these measures with performance and ability. Following institutional ethical approval, 79 male surfers underwent anthropometric assessment. These surfers composed of three sub-groups of professional (n=17; age: 34.12, s =3.81 years, stature: 177.28, s =6.29 cm; body mass: 78.57, s =7.17 kg), junior national level (n=15; age: 15.61, s =1.06 years, stature: 173.86, s =5.72 cm; body mass: 63.27, s =7.17 kg) and intermediate level surfers (n=47; age: 22.47, s =2.80 years, stature: 179.90, s =5.41; body mass: 77.83, s =9.43 kg). The mean somatotype values for the different groups of surfers were found to be 2.48, 5.00 and 1.03 for the professional surfers; 2.18, 3.72 and 3.24 for the junior national surfers and 2.79, 3.57 and 2.42 for the intermediate surfers. Professional surfers were significantly (P < 0.01) more mesomorphic and less ectomorphic than intermediate level surfers. Significant correlations were observed between endomorphy (r = -0.399, P < 0.01), sum of six skinfolds (r = -0.341, P < 0.05), and body fat percentage (r = -0.380, P < 0.01) and the rating of ability among the intermediate group of surfers. Across all participants, the rating of surfer ability was significantly correlated with endomorphy (r = -0.366, P≤0.01), mesomorphy (r = 0.442, P < 0.01), sum of six skinfolds (r = -0.274, P < 0.05) and body fat percentage (r = -0.268, P < 0.05). Findings suggest that the levels of adiposity and muscularity may influence the potential for progression between intermediate and professional-level surfing performance.
European journal of sport science.Eur J Sport Sci.2014 Jan;14 Suppl 1:S171-7. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2012.666268. Epub 2012 Mar 19.
Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the anthropometric profiles of male surfers and to investigate the relationship of these measures with performance and ability. Following institutional ethical approval, 79 male surfers underwent anthropometric assessment. These surfers composed of thre
PMID 24444202

Anthropometry and somatotypes of competitive DanceSport participants: A comparison of three different styles.

Liiv H, Wyon M, Jürimäe T, Purge P, Saar M, Mäestu J, Jürimäe J.Author information Faculty of Exercise and Sport Sciences, University of Tartu, Jakobi 5, Tartu 51014, Estonia. Electronic address: liivhelena@gmail.com.AbstractAnthropometry in dance and aesthetic sports has been shown to play an important role in selection and performance criteria. The aim of the present study was to examine variations in somatotype and anthropometry in three different competitive dance styles: DanceSport Standard, Latin American and Ten Dance. Anthropometry and somatotype data were collected from thirty couples competing in Standard (n=24 individuals), Latin American (n=14) and Ten Dance (n=22) styles. A single tester (ISAK Level 1) carried out all anthropometric measurements using the Heath-Carter protocol and somatotypes were calculated using the Heath-Carter's decimal equations. Results indicated that the mean somatotype for the male dancers was 2.4-3.9-3.2, whilst for females it was 2.7-2.7-3.5. Factorial analysis reported Standard dancers scored significantly higher for ectomorphy, sitting height and arm span than Latin dancers (p<0.05). Correlation analysis with the Standard dancer's International Ranking highlighted moderate positive correlation with mesomorphy (r=0.434, p<0.05) and negative correlation with ectomorphy (r=-0.546, p<0.001). The findings of this study show that somatotypes differ among DanceSport participants by dance style. Compared with other aesthetic sports, male and female dancers were less mesomorphic and more ectomorphic. Standard dancers tend to be more ectomorphic with greater height, longer arm span and greater sitting height compared with Latin American dancers. Although Standard dancers were ectomorphic, those dancers who had higher mesomorphic ranking had higher places in the dancers' international ranking.
Homo : internationale Zeitschrift fur die vergleichende Forschung am Menschen.Homo.2013 Sep 21. pii: S0018-442X(13)00140-6. doi: 10.1016/j.jchb.2013.09.003. [Epub ahead of print]
Anthropometry in dance and aesthetic sports has been shown to play an important role in selection and performance criteria. The aim of the present study was to examine variations in somatotype and anthropometry in three different competitive dance styles: DanceSport Standard, Latin American and Ten
PMID 24182600