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The concept of beauty is a function of multiple variables. The idea of beauty is ephemeral and ever changing. It cannot possibly be static or constant. One of the basic reasons that make the perception of beauty so transient and ever changing is the fact that the perception of beauty is a subjective phenomenon. In an online dictionary, the term “subjective” has been defined as “existing in the mind; belonging to the thinking subject rather than to the object of thought.” (“Definition of Subjective” Dictionary.com) The online dictionary further defines the term “subjective” as placing excessive emphasis on one's own moods, attitudes, opinions, etc.” From the foregoing definition, it can be reasonably inferred that the basic characteristic of the term “subjective” is (a) the affixing of attributes as per one’s metal perception; (b) not relying upon objective criteria; (c) reaching conclusion on the basis of opinion and attitudes; and (d) drawing inferences on the basis of one’s mood and opinion rather than on the basis of any objective criteria.
As beauty is more often than not based on the subjective perception, it can be reasonably inferred that the perception of beauty is to a very great extent dependent on subjective variables like opinion, mood, attitudes and the observer’s mental make-up. To this end, the foregoing factors are greatly influenced by various factors, including, but not limited to different cultural factors, social settings, changing time, upbringing, philosophical and psychological traits. Prior to examining the nature and extent of cultural factors influencing perception of beauty, let us first understand the various characteristic of the concept of beauty. In an online article, Hume’s definition of beauty has been reproduced. As per Hume’s definition, beauty cannot be considered as an objective quality within its own right. To this end, “Beauty exists merely in the mind which contemplates them; and each mind perceives a different beauty. One person may even perceive deformity, where another is sensible of beauty; and every individual ought to acquiesce in his own sentiment, without pretending to regulate those of others”. (Hume 1757, 136) On the other hand, there are certain objective definitions of beauty based on form and appearance. Until the beginning of the 18th century, many philosophers evaluated beauty objectively. They considered beauty as attributes of beautiful objects or the quality possessed by beautiful object. (136: Stanford.edu. Sept 4, 2012) Aside to the objective and subjective viewpoints of beauty, there are various other ways of appreciating and analyzing beauty, namely, the philosophical approach, the classical approach, the idealistic approach and the utility approach.
As an example of the Hedonistic approach Hume’s observation has been reproduced in an online. In this regard, the definition states that “Beauty is such an order and construction of parts as, either by the primary constitution of our nature, by custom, or by caprice, is fitted to give a pleasure and satisfaction to the soul. Pleasure and pain, therefore, are not only necessary attendants of beauty and deformity, but constitute their very essence”. (299: Plato.stanford.edu. Sept 4, 2012)
The above definition makes it abundantly clear that there are various factors affecting perception of beauty, including, but not limited to cultural factors. It is essential to understand the definition of the term “culture” prior to evaluating the influence of culture on the perception of beauty. The term “culture” is of a very wide amplitude and it collectively includes the behavioral pattern, thought process, attitude etc.
It is a well known fact that there is no universal concept of beauty. The idea of beauty varies from culture to culture. What would be perceived as beautiful by the east might be perceived as ugly by the west. The physical features that are considered attractive in one country might be looked down upon in another. For example, in an online article, Visser Jessie rightly points out that the perception of beauty is completely contrary in the Western and Zambian culture. In the western culture, slim figure is very important and integral to the concept of a beautiful body. However, this is not the case in Zambia where slim figure is a sign of weakness and meaninglessness. As poverty, plague and death is rampant in Zambia, a plump figure is considered as a sign of prosperity, health and fertility. In Zambian culture, being so called “plus sized” is considered to be superior and is greatly envied by others. Zambians perceive plump figure as a sign and opportunity of good eating habits and resourcefulness. On the contrary, in the Canadian culture, skinny women are perceived as physically fit. To this end, an inference is drawn that such a woman is from a financially sound background as she can afford a trainer to stay slim. (Jessie. douglife.ca/ June 7, 2013) Within the eastern culture, the perception of beauty may differ from one culture to another culture. The idea of beauty may change from one eastern country to another eastern country on account of change in the prevalent culture. For instance, in the Indian sub-continent, large almond shaped eye, straight sharp nose, heavy bust and waist that are the indication of fertility, thick black hair and hairless body is considered beautiful. The foregoing perception is strongly rooted in religious and cultural influence. It can be inferred from a research paper published online that facial attractiveness and thinness is central to the perception of beauty in China. (Stanley Carley et el, 4). In the Japanese culture, small and petite feature is greatly appreciated. Women who have small oval face are considered feminine and appealable. It has been observed that Japanese woman have a fetish for double eye lid.
There is a certain bizarre perception of beauty among certain tribes. For instance, in an online article, the perception of beauty in an Indonesian tribe has been pointed out. In an Indonesian tribe, the normal teeth structure is not considered attractive. On the contrary, teeth are sharpened in a particular manner so as to make it look pointed. It is the pointed teeth that are considered as beautiful. The pointed teeth also have philosophical significance. (“Cultural Beauty, What do you find beautiful?” word. press Oct, 19, 2011) Women undergo these physically challenging procedures from philosophical perspective and also to climb up the ladder in terms of social hierarchy.
The perception of beauty is significantly different in the African subcontinent. As per one research posted online by Vinet Coetzee, it has been concluded that healthy and fertile women are considered more attractive. The degree of fertility is directly proportional to age and youthfulness in African female faces. (Coetzee, “African Perception of Female Attractiveness” plosone.org) Contrary to the African focus on age, the yardstick of age works differently in French culture. In this regard, as pointed out by Julia Savacool, in France, experienced women are concerned more attractive and French women are completely comfortable with ageing as ageing is perceived as more attractive on account of increased knowledge. (Savacool “Where Age Is No Object: France” More.com) The difference in the French and the African yardstick can very well be rooted in the cultural mores. From the above, it can be inferred that culture does influence the perception of beauty in more ways than one.
However, there are factors other than culture that influences the perception of beauty. These factors are universal and can be rooted in other criteria’s like evolutionary principles, philosophical standpoint, yardstick of changing time within the same culture and society and cross cultural influences weaning off the traditional cultural perceptions. An online article published by Gad Saad in Psychology Today very aptly brings out the universality in the perception of beauty irrespective of the multiple cultural influences. In this regard, with respect to facial construction, is has been universally observed that symmetric faces are definitely considered as more beautiful and attractive as against asymmetric faces across all the cultures. The foregoing factor is not influenced by the race of the subject under consideration and also the race of the person who is judging the beauty. Another clear liking universally is clear skin.
It is further pointed out by Gad Saad that certain morphological features that indicate masculinity, for instance square jaw or femininity, for instance high-cheek bones are universally considered as attractive. It is further pointed out that irrespective of whether a woman is heavily built or whether a women has a catwalk think figure, what remains constant is the fact the hourglass figures equates roughly to a waist-to-hip ratio of 0.70. This can nevertheless be slightly influenced by cultural settings. (Saad: Psychologytoday.com April 6, 2010)
Aside to the universality of certain perceptions, changing time also influences the perception of beauty within the same culture and society. What might be perceived as beautiful in one decade under certain political and social situation might be considered otherwise in another decade under different social settings. Various studies have been conducted in this field that aptly points out the influence of changing time on the perception of beauty. For instance, in a study published online by Carey Stanley et el, the influence of time over the perception of beauty is very bought out. In this regard, it has been pointed out that in the United States, physical standards for marking beauty have undergone tremendous changes over the course of several decades that are, at times, mutually contradictory on account of various social and political influences. On account of certain historical event, fashion trends get influenced. As a result of this, the preference of women being slender or heavily built or whether they should have heavy bust lines or otherwise alters on account of such historical events. A woman’s dressing style is a direct function of society’s attitude during a particular era. To take an example, after World War 1 straighter body shapes led to the emergence of the flapper, that was marked by higher hemlines. However, the foregoing trend almost disappeared pursuant to the advent of the 1930 economic depression. Thereafter, the trend of curvaceous and busty women set in. It has been universally observed that women adapt rapidly to the changing social mores with the perspective of gaining necessary social status and approval. (Stanley et el, digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu. 31-8-2011)
Psychological factors also play a very important role in influencing the perception of beauty. As pointed out above, symmetry is considered universally appealing. In this regard, Charles Feng, in an online publication explains the rationale behind symmetry being perceived as beautiful. To this end, it has been observed that symmetric individuals higher mate-value. Further, scientific community is of the view that symmetry is co-related with a strong immune system. In light of the foregoing, beauty is indicative of more robust genes, consequently leading to improved rate of survival. This evolutionary and biological theory is supported by supports the universality of beauty across the cultural spectrum. (Feng, legacy.jyi.org, Dec 2002)
Behavioral traits also influence the perception of beauty. Depending upon one’s metal make-up, a person may find different behavioral trait attractive. Some people find a person with a good sense of humor more attractive while others are in awe of someone who is strict and no-nonsense. A smiling face is universally considered as attractive. Charles Feng further points out a study in which the perception of beauty varied as per the behavioral changes. To this end, Charles Feng states that in one study, it was found out that a majority of college student (almost 70%) found an instructor more attractive when he was acting friendly. On the other hand, the remaining 30% of the students found the instructor who was cold and distant more attractive. When a survey was conducted for finding out the criteria’s for the selection of mate, it was discovered that both females felt kindness and an exciting personality predominantly influenced the mate selection principle. (Feng, legacy.jyi.org, Dec 2002)
The perception of beauty is also strongly influenced by the set of philosophical principle that one adheres to. It is well known that the objective values prophesied by the famous philosopher Ayn Rand valued the engineering principles in the structure more than its aesthetic appeal. As pointed out by A O Hume, “one person may even perceive deformity, where another is sensible of beauty; and every individual ought to acquiesce in his own sentiment, without pretending to regulate those of others.” (Hume 1757, 136)
In conclusion, it can be inferred that the influence of cultural factor on the perception of beauty certainly cannot be undermined. However, there are several factors at play in the world of perception of beauty. The role of biological, physiological, psychological factors is also required to be taken into consideration in order to understand the composite picture. Changing time also has a critical role to play in changing the perception of beauty within the same cultural settings. The influence of cross cultural exposures over changing perception is also required to be taken into consideration. Evolutionary principles also play a critical role in shaping the perception of beauty.
Nevertheless, as culture is the sum total one one’s idea, belief, religious and philosophical thought process, attitude and traits, culture per se is of a very wide amplitude and it covers a lot of factors described above as a whole. The subjective and transient factor that plays a role in building perception strengthens the role of culture in influencing the perception of beauty. Different variable of culture itself is ever evolving. Cultural factors are constantly changing subsequently leading to drastic changes in the perception of beauty.
The cross cultural influences on account of globalization leads to a creation of a new brand of universal modern culture that fundamentally homogenizes the perception of beauty. This debate will be never ending as the whole concept of culture is a byproduct of evolving time and consequently in a state of constant flux. Nevertheless, cultural factors shall always be taken into consideration while analyzing the perception of beauty universally.
WORK CITED
- Definition of “subjective” from Dictionary.com
- Hume 1757, 136 “Beauty” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Plato.stanford.edu. Sept 4, 2012.
- Hume 1740, 299 “Beauty” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Plato.stanford.edu. Sept 4, 2012.
- Definition of Culture in Freedictionary.com
- Vessier Jessie “Perception of beauty in different culture” 2014 Program News http://www.douglife.ca/ (June 7, 2013)
- Carely Stanley et el “Perception of Beauty among Female” The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research, Vol. 1 [2011], Iss. 1, Art. 1, Retrieved from digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu. 31-8-2011.
- “Cultural Beauty, What do you find beautiful?” Culturalbeauty.wordpress.com (Oct 19, 2011)
- Vinet Coetzee “African Perceptions of Female Attractiveness” DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0048116 http://www.plosone.org/
- Julia Savacool “Where Age Is No Object: France” More.com n.p n.d
- Gad Saad “Beauty: Culture-Specific or Universally Defined?” “Homo Consumericus” Psychologytoday.com (April 6, 2010)
- Carely Stanley et el “Perception of Beauty among Female” The Kennesaw Journal of Undergraduate Research, Vol. 1 [2011], Iss. 1, Art. 1, Retrieved from digitalcommons.kennesaw.edu. 31-8-2011.
- Charles Feng “Looking Good: The Psychology and Biology of Beauty” “Under Graduate-Peer Review Journal” Human Biology, Stanford University Issue 6, December 2002, legacy.jyi.org
- Hume 1757, 136 “Beauty” Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. Plato.stanford.edu. Sept 4, 2012.
