Science: Judging Mind By Body

From time immemorial men have had the idea that people of different body shapes have different temperaments. Despite exceptions, fat people seem in general to be jolly, gregarious, lazy, comfort-loving; thin, wiry or bony people are often secretive, seclusive, introverted;* powerful giants are supposed to be self-assured, mild-mannered and softspoken. Making the maximum possible allowance for environmental conditioning, most biologists insist that there must be some relation left between behavior and physical constitution.

What are the relations between body structure and glands? Between body structure and temperament, insanity, criminal tendencies, immunity and...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!