Michael Cox

An analysis of body shape attractiveness based on image statistics: Evidence for a dissociation between expressions of preference and shape discrimination

We develop an image-driven approach to the question of what makes the shape of a womans body attractive. We constructed a set of 625 images of female bodies by factorially recombining four independent descriptors of shape derived from a principal components analysis of the variation in natural body shape, and had observers rate these images for attractiveness. We then modelled observers’ attractiveness ratings with polynomial multiple regression, using the same shape descriptors as explanatory variables. The resulting model agrees well with existing models based on simple anthropometric indices of shape; however, some interesting new findings emerge. There was considerable variation in the shape of bodies that were judged to be equally attractive. Further experiments confirmed that observers could detect these subtle variations in shape suggesting a dissociation between attractiveness judgement and shape discrimination.

Implementing change in the National Health Service

This paper will outline the current changes being imposed on the National Health Service. The literature on change management will be employed to propose some guidelines for health service managers. The National Health Service (NHS) spent much of the 1980s and 1990s learning about the transition from administration to management and must now make the transition from management to leadership. The emphasis is now focused less on doing and more on being.

Simulating Categorical Data from Spatial Models

Categorical data are simulated using random rotating hyperplanes superimposed on a spatial pattern of points in a d-dimensional space and also by random hyperspheres. These data can be used as a source for testing various statistical techniques. Their use in multidimensional scaling in particular is investigated.